Choosing Respite Care for Your Elderly Parent

Whether a caregiver is a family member or a hired professional, caregivers play a vital role in the care of disabled and elderly individuals. No matter how vital that role, however, it’s important to remember that caregivers are humans, with lives of their own, and from time to time will require a break from their duties caring for their clients or family members. This is where respite care services provide a vital continuing care solution for adult care. Respite services, or ongoing care services provided by a third party to allow for the traditional caregiver to take time off, allow caregivers to maintain their own physical and mental health and keep them in a mindset able to continue in the future to provide care services.
When the person needing care is an elderly parent, you are even more invested in ensuring whoever provides respite care in the interim is qualified and capable of managing your parent’s specific needs. Hands of Heartland provides some examples of conditions where respite care will be required in the absence of the caregiver, and the types of settings in which respite care might be offered.

When Conditions Are Right for Respite Care

If your parent suffers from any of the conditions discussed below, their caregiver is generally providing some form of live-in or long-term daily care on, and if the caregiver is taking a break, respite care services would be vital for your parent’s health.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

With Alzheimer’s disease and more generally dementia, memory issues and the physical symptoms and side effects of the diseases can be taxing for family and caregivers to manage on a 24-hour basis, as they require safe and controlled environments as well as medical assistance in some instances. Depending on the level of care provided, respite services can be designed around their daily routines and the environment that is safest for ongoing care.

Stroke Sufferers

Stroke patients have specialized needs when it comes to mobility and self-care that generally require 24-hour attention. Because of the physical debilitation that can accompany strokes, patients might also require assistance in physical therapy and exercise throughout the day. This can mean that the care plan for these patients can range depending on the severity of their condition, and respite care options would have to be able to scale to the requirements in place.

Elderly with Disabilities

As disabilities stem from any combination of sources such as injuries, disease, or mental conditions, caregivers providing care for these individuals have to be highly flexible and capable of handling any number of challenges. This requires that respite care solutions be an extension of the current care conditions and be able to address specialized care needs depending on your parent’s needs.

Respite Care in the Right Setting for Your Loved One

Each condition above is associated with any number of symptoms, behaviors, and care requirements, and in the absence of the traditional caregiver, respite care services have to be able to address each completely. This means that respite care can take place in-home, in an assisted living facility, or any combination of living arrangements. Depending on the arrangement, your elderly parent might require in home respite care or home health services. They might just need a companion and personal care for a few hours a day. Whatever your elderly parent’s needs, it’s important to identify a respite care provider that will be able to meet their care needs regardless of the living arrangements in place.

Hands of Heartland’s Respite Services In Omaha

Hands of Heartland provides a number of home respite care services and home health services to the Omaha community. We understand the vital role caregivers play in the health and wellness of the elderly community, and we want to make certain those caregivers have access to the downtime they need to provide the best care possible to our loved ones. Our respite care service professionals provide the necessary care and oversight for clients in settings ranging from in-home to small group residences, family homes, and assisted living facilities and are trained to handle any number of medical and personalized care needs. Are you a caregiver, or does your elderly family member have a caregiver who might need a break? Contact us for more information and learn about your respite care options today.