Are you a family caregiver for elderly loved one? Do you have added stress in your life because of the constant demands falling on your shoulders? Is it possible that total burnout is looming around the corner?
These are common feelings among family caregivers and it’s completely natural to experience these challenges as you try to navigate the difficult task of caring for someone else without help. This is where respite care comes in, providing you with much needed and deserved relief that can be anything from a few hours to a few weeks. Read on to learn the ins and outs of respite care along with the different types, the benefits of each, how to access it and key factors to consider as you explore the service.
Family respite services provide temporary relief to primary caregivers. This allows you to take a break from the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for your family member, whether they are elderly, disabled or chronically ill.
The role of respite care is to offer you short-term assistance that’s tailored to your time and service needs. Maybe all you need is one-off help for a few hours. Or perhaps you’re looking for a more regular respite service that can take your place one day every week, or for full weeks at a time.
You can receive in-home respite care, overnight respite care, or professional relief services at an adult day care centre or residential care facility. Wherever you need the assistance, the primary goal remains the same: reduce your physical and emotional fatigue to prevent burnout and uphold your personal health and wellbeing. You can rest, work, run errands, socialize or take a vacation, knowing your loved one is safe and in good hands.
In a report from Statistics Canada, a key finding indicated that of all the family caregivers surveyed, more than 50% said they were coping very well, over 40% were managing fairly well, and less than 5% stated they were not doing very well or not well at all. However, of those who said they were coping well to very well, 70% stated they also experienced burden and stress.
While it’s common for caregivers to feel a sense of guilt when they explore respite care, it’s critical that you understand the fact that this is just as much for your loved one as it is for you. Respite care has been proven to support the sustainability of caregiving relationships and improve the lives of both the caregiver and the care recipient.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits that the right respite service can bring you and your family.
You know it when you’re in it. The problem is that caregiver burnout can be difficult to spot or anticipate before it happens. It’s a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Put differently, it’s when you take on so much responsibility as a primary caregiver in the interest of your loved one that you forget to care for yourself until it’s too late and you’re suffering unnecessarily, not to mention far less able to continue providing care. Short–term respite services or respite care facilities give you time to pause, rest and recuperate – which is crucial to maintain your health and prevent complete burnout.
In your caregiving role, you may feel stressed, anxious, confined and isolated. Regular breaks in the form of respite can help you manage these feelings. When you step away temporarily, you allow yourself time to recharge emotionally, ultimately leading to a more positive and patient approach to your caregiving responsibilities when you return.
Whether you need a little space, you have work responsibilities or you’re going on vacation, respite care provides your senior loved one the continued care they need from compassionate professionals in your absence. This maintains their routine and gives them an opportunity to interact with different people, which can be refreshing, stimulating and beneficial in new ways.
The pressures associated with a loved one’s need for continuous care can put significant strain on family relationships. Respite care can alleviate these tensions by reducing your daily stresses. More often than not, caregivers who receive respite report improved family interactions, relationships and overall dynamics.
When you obtain family respite services, you allow yourself the freedom to engage in social activities you love and miss, to pursue your hobbies and to enjoy alone time. This helps you maintain a healthy balance between your caregiving role and your personal life, giving you a renewed sense of overall satisfaction and fulfillment.
Your health is important too, and you can’t simply put everything on the back burner without the risk of causing yourself harm in the long term. Respite care gives you the time you need to manage your own health needs, including going to doctors’ appointments, exercising and getting enough rest. When your health is better managed, you’re more capable of providing care for your loved one over the long term.
When used in the right ways and at the right times, respite makes caregiving manageable and positive. This opens the doors to benefits that enhance quality of life, for you and your family member.
In this TEDx Talk, Frances Lewis talks about “caring for the caregivers” and discusses two simple ways for caregivers to thrive, not just survive.
There are different types of respite care services and respite care coverage available, and each is designed to address a unique need.
A caregiver comes to your family member’s home, allowing them to stay in a familiar environment where they are most comfortable. This form of in-home respite care can range from a few hours to overnight respite. Specific services can be customized to include personal care, companionship and assistance with daily activities.
Typically offered in some kind of facility within your community, adult day care centres provide care and social interaction during the day for elders and those with various illnesses or disabilities. Usually this includes meals, social outings and therapeutic services, giving you a break during daytime hours.
Respite care can be provided within facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living communities. Your family members can temporarily stay for short periods of time, which is particularly suitable when you are going on vacation or in need of an extended period of rest.
Designed to provide immediate care in unexpected situations, such as a caregiver’s sudden illness or a family emergency, this service ensures that your loved one’s needs are met swiftly and efficiently.
Some communities offer respite care through local organizations, where volunteers provide companionship and basic assistance. This option emphasizes social engagement and community support, rather than the duties typically offered by personal support workers.
Tailored for individuals with specific health conditions, such as dementia or a terminal illness, this service provides specialized services that address the unique needs of the recipient, ensuring they receive appropriate care.
In Alberta, there is a free adult day program for elders with dementia offered by the Brenda Strafford Foundation. The CBC interviewed numerous family caregivers who stated that adult day programs were “key” in their own ability to continue caring for a loved one at home.
As you provide for your loved one, it’s critical that you acknowledge the fact that you need care too. Respite services can provide this, giving you the necessary time to look after yourself but also to rejuvenate and equip yourself to continue providing for your family member.
If you’ve concluded that you and your family need respite care to assist with the burden of caring for your loved one, it’s time to determine exactly what you’re looking for and how to get it.
Follow along this short guide, designed to help you define, engage and hire the right service.
What type of respite care do you need? How often do you need it? Which services will give you the most relief and where do you want those services provided? Consider one type or a mix of at-home, in-facility or assisted living facility and adult day care settings.
Speak with your loved one’s primary healthcare provider or a social worker. Explain what you’re going through and discuss your needs for the right respite programs. Professionals are there to assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate forms of respite care to help.
Contact your local health authority or Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). Each province and territory in Canada has resources to help families like yours gain access to the respite services they need. Visit websites such as Health Canada and other health services sites within your province to find directories of service providers you can contact.
Look into government-funded programs that offer respite care. Programs like Home and Community Care Support Services are available in various provinces and may be able to offer assistance, based on your eligibility.
If you require more flexibility, have time-sensitive needs or find that you are ineligible to receive government-funded programs, look into private respite care services. Research reputable organizations and compare the offerings between them to find a match for your needs.
Some Canadian provinces offer financial assistance or subsidies to cover respite care costs, so be sure to do a little digging in your area. You can check in with your local health department about available financial support programs and eligibility criteria.
Once you’ve chosen and hired a provider, work with them collaboratively to create a care plan that suits your loved one. Schedule the respite care sessions according to your personal needs and the availability of services to ensure everyone will receive the most benefit.
After a few sessions, assess the experience to make sure it’s meeting your expectations, serving your loved one’s needs effectively and offering the level of benefit you were hoping for. Don’t be afraid to give your service provider feedback so that adjustments can be made as necessary and the service can be further customized over time.
Respite is for you more so than anyone else so take a little time to self-reflect after several sessions. What is your energy level like now? Do you feel less stressed? Are you more rested? Have your feelings of burnout subsided? How are the relationships within your family?
By following a series of steps such as the ones above, you ensure that your research covers all the bases, you choose the right service, and you assess how respite care is working for you and your family. This way, you can continually revise and refine as needed.
MF Homecare is an independent platform that lets families book short-term caregivers in their area, without the premiums of traditional care agencies.
Never underestimate how critical your own physical, emotional and mental wellbeing are. Remember that if you don’t have your own health, it will be impossible to assist in the maintenance of anyone else’s.
If you’re like many caregivers, you tend to prioritize the needs of your loved one above your own. While this sounds admirable, there are risks. You are more likely to experience increased stress, burnout and health issues. Self-care is essential for you to sustain your caregiving role effectively and compassionately.
Most importantly, by giving you time and rest, respite care helps you to:
When you prioritize self-care, you’re not committing an act of selfishness. Quite the opposite. You’re fulfilling a necessary component of a caregiver’s capacity to provide compassionate and competent care.
Although we typically think of respite care as primarily benefiting caregivers, there are also tremendous advantages for your loved one receiving the care too.
They have more opportunities for social interaction with people outside their immediate family. Whether it’s adult day care, at-home caregiving or respite provided within another facility, your loved one can engage with peers and staff, and reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness.
There is uninterrupted care, helping your family member maintain their regular routine and daily stability. This is particularly beneficial for those who have conditions like dementia where familiarity and dependability are important.
Respite care programs often tailor activities to the interests and abilities of your loved one, enhancing their physical health, cognitive function, happiness and overall sense of wellbeing.
Care professionals can provide one-on-one attention, tailored to their individual needs and preferences. This contributes to regular health monitoring, early detection and management of potential issues, and overall satisfaction.
Respite care has been shown to enhance elders’ overall quality of life, as they receive skilled care outside their family circle that promotes social engagement, stimulates them in new ways, gives them consistency and provides professional attentiveness throughout the course of each day.
As you seek respite care for you and your family, you may encounter any number of challenges along the way, such as:
Depending on your location, respite care costs can be a common challenge for family caregivers. If government-subsidized services aren’t available, or you’re not eligible, private care may be the only – and often costly – option.
It might be hard for you to find respite care services close by or agencies without a minimum term contract. Particularly if you are in a rural or underserved area, this can be challenging.
It can be difficult to find the perfect fit for you and your family. Respite care is a highly personal service and it’s important that everyone involved feels as though they’re receiving the benefits it’s designed to give.
From liaising with other family members and care providers, to planning for transportation to and from the respite care you’re considering, logistical issues are bound to arise.
It’s natural to feel anxious about leaving your loved one in anyone’s care but your own, and it can make you apprehensive to seek respite care, but it will also create peace of mind once established. The more aware and prepared you are, the easier it will be to jump these and other hurdles as you travel along your caregiver journey.
Providing essential relief to you as a family caregiver, respite care can significantly improve quality of life for you, your family and your loved one. Caregiving can be extremely demanding, and by seeking respite, you give yourself the ability to regain your strength and return to your role with renewed energy and perspective, which simultaneously ensures the best possible care for your loved one.
If you’re considering respite care, do your due diligence, research your options and don’t hesitate to seek out additional resources and professional advice. Keep in mind that the right form of respite care is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances, ultimately creating a supportive and nurturing environment for everyone.
MF Homecare is a revolutionary app in the home care space that cuts out the need for you to go through a private agency to hire a respite caregiver. Instead, you gain access to professionals right in your area who you can hire directly, saving you money and time instantly.
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“Respite Care in Canada.” HealthCareCAN, 2012.
“Caring for the Caregivers.” Frances Lewis, TEDxSnoIsleLibraries, January 12, 2016.
“‘A whole day off’: Free adult day programs are as much for the caregiver as for the frail.” CBC, February 24, 2022.
MF Homecare is disrupting the traditional approach to elderly care with our cutting-edge mobile app and website. Our platform is revolutionizing in-home care and companionship for families and caregiving professionals, creating a new standard in the industry.
