Our care homes in Leicester provide respite care. Respite care is a type of service that aims to give a temporary break to the primary caregiver. Using this type of care, you can place the cared-for person in a care home or some other facility for a specified period.
Using this time, the primary caregiver can take a much-needed break or attend to other personal matters.
Why is respite care important?
Providing care is a demanding and exhausting job that can deplete your energy reserve. Respite care allows the caregiver to rest, replenish and recuperate. The caregiver can also spend time with other family members or attend to family commitments.
Respite care is also vital for the person being cared for. More so if they require specialized care for some time due to a medical procedure like an operation or illness that requires a better-equipped facility instead of keeping the patient at the hospital.
Respite care also provides both the caregiver and those being cared for insight on what it is like to be in a care home. It gives you both an excellent opportunity to ‘test the waters’ before you fully commit to enrolling into a care home.
Are there different types of respite care?
Yes, there are different types of respite care, depending on the needs of the person being cared for or the caregiver. The different types depend on the arrangement of respite care, which can include:
- Home care – Under this option, the carers attend to the person in their home while the caregiver takes a break or attends to other matters.
- Friends and family – It doesn’t have to be a care facility taking over the duties. In some respite care circumstances, friends and family can also step in to relieve the primary caregiver of these duties for a short period.
- Intermediate care – Intermediate care is available for patients that have been admitted in a hospital for a period of up to six weeks. This type of respite care is provided for by the NHS.
- Respite holidays – Respite holidays are an excellent way for the elderly or other high needs individuals to take a short holiday. This usually relieves the caregivers as the patient travels alone. Some options also allow the caregiver to travel as well.
Respite care services are often organised as per the needs of the caregiver, or the cared-for person so the options are unlimited.
The Bottom Line
As a caregiver, the person you’re looking after needs you to be at your best at all times. Sometimes, that calls for a break to recharge and rejuvenate. You need to be honest enough to admit to yourself when you need to take a break. If you burnout, it’s not only you who will be suffering but also those that depend on you. Respite care is designed to let you have that much-needed break or simply attend to some pressing matters.