Page 62 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

When It Is Time

to Consider

RESPITE CARE

espite care is not self-indulgent. 2. A change of venue — Escaping she will benefit from you being
It’s a necessity. Caring for an routine caregiving can help you more relaxed and refreshed.
Rolder or ill family member can relax, bring you a new perspective Reinforce the idea that they will
be hugely rewarding and bring you on the situation, and give you also benefit from socializing with
closer—but being consumed by it will a chance to clear your head to other people.
drain you physically and emotionally come up with new solutions to
and eventually cause burnout. problems or concerns. • Acknowledge your role. A
survey of family caregivers by
That’s why it’s important for 3. Enjoyment and pleasure — As the National Family Caregivers
caregivers to seek occasional respite a caregiver, you must remember Association showed that
(relief) from their responsibilities, that you have the right to enjoy family caregivers often resist
whether it’s a few hours a week to run life. You have no reason to feel acknowledging that caregiving
personal errands—or longer to take a guilty. is a separate role from their role
much-needed vacation. Respite care as a parent, child, or spouse.
offers you the chance to de-stress, 4. A renewed sense of self — You The survey found that shifting
restore your physical and mental are an individual who also needs this attitude and accepting that
energy, and keep your own life in to live your life and keep a firm caregiving is a separate role
balance. grip on your own identity. had a profound impact on their
situations.
The Many Benefits of Respite Care 5. Socialization — Don’t be isolated
or feel alone. Take time to • Assess your needs. Decide what
Respite care provides short-term engage with friends, family, and care will be needed in your
breaks for caregivers, for their own co-workers by sharing meals, absence, and if there are specific
wellbeing and the wellbeing of the conversation, and experiences. caregiver skills needed to take
person for whom they are providing care of your loved one.
care. After all, you want to be at Once You Have Decided to Pursue
your very best, both physically and Respite Care • Stay organized. Use a calendar to
mentally. Many benefits flow out of • Involve your loved one. When organize and plan for assistance,
respite care. They include: and don’t forget to schedule time
planning for time off from your for yourself. Schedule in some
1. Leisure time for renewal — Take caregiving duties, make sure to respite time and indicate how you
a walk, read a book, browse keep your loved one informed. plan to use it.
the internet, visit an art gallery Involve him or her in deciding
or museum, listen to music— how much time you will be away • Create your own space. Once
whatever brings you a sense of joy and who will fill in for you when you’ve decided on having respite
and calm. you’re gone. Express how he or relief, find a place for yourself,

62 Lubbock Senior Link