Many people are carers for family members including parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and even siblings. Caring for a family member can be rewarding and reassure you that they are getting the care they need. However, it can also be exhausting for both you and them. Being a carer is often a full-time job and you may struggle to get any time to yourself. This is why respite care is an important part of any care routine. Using respite care services gives family carers the chance to re-energise, relax and work on themselves. Carers often feel guilty about taking time for themselves, but there are some vital reasons to make use of respite care.
Prevent Burnout
Carer burnout is a serious problem.You may love your family member but caring for them is still hard work. For some people, it’s a 24/7 job, and you can find it extremely difficult to take a break. Even if caring for your family member yourself is your preferred option, it doesn’t make it easy. If you don’t allow yourself some time out, you can get more and more exhausted until you can’t take it anymore. You don’t want to be out of commission and unable to keep caring due to illness, so bringing in private respite care for your loved one is essential.
Help to Maintain Relationships
Making use of respite care helps you to maintain your relationships in a couple of ways. Firstly, it can help keep the relationship between you and the person you care for on an even keel. During more trying periods, having to spend all your time with a loved one can drive you towards resentment of each other. Respite care allows both of you a break. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Using home care services gives you time to connect with other people, from other family members to friends.
Prevent Isolation
Being a carer can be an isolating experience. You can often be stuck at home all day and getting out may be difficult, especially if you care for someone with mobility problems. Asking for home care assistance allows you to get out of your home and spend some time socialising elsewhere. Whether you go to a friend’s house, have a meal out with your partner or attend a support group for carers, it’s important to spend time with other people.
Take Care of Yourself Before Others
If you don’t take care of yourself, you’re not in the best condition to care for other people. In-flight safety instructions, they always tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping anyone else. This is true when you’re a carer too – you need to help yourself first if you want to be capable of caring for someone else. Home care for your family member is available to help you do this.
