When Is It Time to Consider Respite Care for Canada’s Seniors?

Winnipeg Respite Care  |  July 18, 2024

What Every Senior in Winnipeg, MB Needs to Know About the Benefits of Respite Care

Is It Time to Consider Respite Care? Respite care is not self-indulgent. It’s a necessity. Caring for an older or ill family member can be hugely rewarding and bring you closer – but being consumed by it will drain you physically and emotionally, and eventually cause burnout.

When Is It Time to Consider Respite Care for Seniors?

In a study, 60% of family caregivers, ages 19-64, reported “fair or poor” health and one or more chronic conditions or disabilities, compared with only 33% of non-caregivers.

That’s why caregivers need to seek occasional respite from their responsibilities, whether for a few hours a week to run personal errands – or longer to take a much-needed vacation. Respite care offers a chance to de-stress, restore their physical and mental energy, and keep their lives balanced.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Break

Respite care for loved ones provides short-term breaks for caregivers, their well-being, and the person they provide care. After all, you want to be at your very best, both physically and mentally. There are many benefits to respite care.

Respite Care Benefits

#1. Time for leisure and renewal:

Take a walk, read a book, browse the internet, visit an art gallery or museum, listen to music – whatever brings joy and calm.

#2. A change of venue:

Escaping routine caregiving can help you relax, bring you a new perspective on the situation, and chance to clear your head to come up with new solutions to problems or concerns.

#3. Enjoyment and pleasure:

As a caregiver, you must remember that you have the right to enjoy life. You also have no reason to feel guilty.

#4. A renewed sense of self:

You are an individual who also needs to live your life and keep a firm grip on your own identity.

#5. Socialization:

Don’t be isolated or feel alone. Take time to engage with friends, family, and co-workers by sharing meals, conversations, and experiences.

Tips for Families: When Is It Time to Consider Respite Care?

Tip #1. Involve your loved one:

Inform your loved one when planning for time off from your caregiving duties. Involve them in deciding how much you will be away, and who will fill in for you when you’re gone. Express how he or she will benefit from you being more relaxed and refreshed. Reinforce the idea that they will also benefit from socializing with other people.

Tip #2. Acknowledge your role:

A survey of family caregivers by the National Family Caregivers Association showed that family caregivers often refuse to accept that caregiving is a separate role. The survey found that shifting this attitude profoundly impacts their situations.

Tip #3. Assess your needs:

Decide what care and specific skills will be needed in your absence.

Tip #4. Stay organized:

Use a calendar to organize and plan for assistance, and don’t forget to schedule time for yourself. Schedule some respite time and indicate how you plan to use it.

Tip #5. Create your own space:

Once you’ve decided on having respite relief, find a place for yourself, whether it’s a porch, spare bedroom, or simply a corner of a room. You shouldn’t have to leave the house for alone time to enjoy hobbies, relax – and do the things you love most.

Tip #6. Deal with your feelings:

Bottling up your emotions takes a toll on your psyche and your health. Share feelings of frustration with friends and family. Seek support from others who are in a similar situation. Talk with a professional counsellor, or join a caregiver support group.

Tip #7. Remember to say “no” when it’s necessary:

Accept that you can’t do everything, and resist the urge to take on more than you can handle. If someone asks you to do something you can’t take on, be honest, explain why you can’t – and don’t feel bad about it.

Tip #8. Stay positive: 

Do your best to not dwell on the negative. Hold a family meeting or call a senior care mediator to resolve conflicts with siblings and relatives. Remember to be proud of all you are doing, and focus on the rewards of caring for someone you love.

Taking care of a loved one can be an all-consuming job – but what will happen to him or her should you get physically ill or mentally exhausted from emotions and overwork? 

Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg can help provide a wide range of private home senior care services

For families concerned about the health and well-being of aging loved ones, we can help with homecare services including, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, in-home personal care, respite care, specialized care, in-home nursing, end-of-life care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® professional caregivers provide services to ensure safety, health, and happiness without the stress of moving to an assisted living or rehabilitation facility. Our customers’ care plans are individually tailored to meet their needs, accounting for their living arrangements, medical issues, physical restrictions, personalities, expectations, and more.

Our Interactive Caregiving™ approach enables top-notch homecare

The Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Our compassionate caregivers can provide a personalized home care plan for your loved one, allowing them to enjoy a healthier, safer, and more meaningful retirement at home. 

Comfort Keepers® is the most trusted name in senior care in Winnipeg

We actively work within the Winnipeg, MB community to provide options, activities, events, and resources for seniors that might otherwise not be available to them to ensure that seniors under care are engaged physically, socially, and mentally. 

In-Home Personal Care in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Our caregivers are part of the community — we live and work here, too, so we know the area and how to assist using local resources. Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. If you live in Winnipeg and require homecare services for senior personal care and wellbeing, contact Comfort Keepers® at (204)-488-4600. 

Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers® offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

References:

• AARP. Caregiving Resource Center. “What Is Respite Care? A Break for the Caregiver.” Web. 2016.
• AgingCare.com. “The Importance of Respite Care”. Web. 2016.
• The Commonwealth Fund. “A Look at Working-Age Caregivers’ Roles, Health Concerns, and Need for Support” by Alice Ho, Sara R. Collins, Karen Davis, and Michelle M. Doty. Whitepaper. Web. 2016.

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