Respite Care
According to data from the American Time Use Survey and reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 40+ million Americans are providing unpaid elder care to a loved one.
If you have been caring for your elderly loved one, you know that it is a full-time responsibility. This can be particularly difficult if you also work full-time and have other commitments requiring your attention; in fact, it’s a recipe for caregiver burnout, a condition that can arise from physical and mental exhaustion.
Fortunately, Visiting Angels Palmer provides professional respite care resources to lend a helping hand so you can get some much-needed relief.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is a flexible home care solution that provides caregiving services as needed, such as for a few hours so you can take care of personal tasks, or for a few days or weeks so you can take a break or go on vacation.
It is the flexible nature of respite care that is most beneficial. Our professional caregivers can even be scheduled on an hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to give family caregivers relief with the peace of mind of knowing that their loved one is being well cared for in their absence.
Respite Care Services
The in-home respite care services provided by Visiting Angels Palmer include help with a wide range of companion care and personal care services, such as:
- Dignified and discrete assistance with toileting and other activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing
- Help with light housekeeping and laundry
- Medication reminders
- Healthy meal planning and preparation
- Companionship in the form of conversation, watching a favorite TV show, helping with a puzzle, reading a cherished book, and other activities to help alleviate feelings of loneliness or boredom
For those requiring specialized care, such as Alzheimer's care and dementia care, Visiting Angels will provide professional caregivers with expertise in these areas to provide support.
Our respite care program is designed to help caregivers, reduce the risk of caregiver burnout, and provide quality care to their loved ones on an as-needed basis.
What is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a state of exhaustion that can happen when caring for another person. This can be a combination of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion and can present with stress-related symptoms and feelings of overwhelm. Some of the common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Physical, emotional, and/or mental exhaustion
- Low energy and fatigue
- Trouble sleeping or irregular sleeping patterns
- Worry, anxiety, irritability and/or anger
- Changes in weight (gain or loss)
- Headaches, backaches, and other physical pain
- Feelings of guilt or resentment
- Lack of interest in caring for oneself
- Excessive eating, smoking, or drinking
The best way to avoid or alleviate caregiver burnout is to make time for self-care. Although it may feel counterintuitive, the best thing you can do for both yourself and your loved one is to take care of yourself.
There is no shame in asking for help in caring for your loved one. Ask family members and friends to step up, and hire a professional caregiver, such as Visiting Angels Palmer, to provide respite care services so you can get the relief you need and deserve.
Getting Started With Respite Care
To get started with our respite care program, give Visiting Angels Palmer a call at (508) 344-9916 or Contact Us online to request more information. We will schedule a free, no-obligation in-home care consultation with a Visiting Angels care coordinator who will answer any questions you have and create a custom plan for you and your loved one. Whenever respite care is needed, you can contact us on short notice and we will ensure that a caregiver is available. We look forward to helping you get the break you deserve!
Serving Palmer and the Surrounding Areas
Visiting Angels PALMER, MA
Maple Tree Industrial Center 21 Wilbraham St.Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: 508-344-9916