In our previous blog we’ve discussed the symptoms of caregiver burnout and resources available to those caring for their loved ones at home, including respite care. In this post, we’re going to dive deeper into what respite care is and if it’s a good option for you and your elderly loved one.
Respite care is a temporary stay (typically under 30 days) at a senior living community that may be required or desired for any number of reasons. It is often used by seniors who are recovering from a fall, surgery, hospital stay or another health-related circumstance, because they need more specialized and involved assistance than they can receive at home short-term, whether it’s nursing care or rehabilitation services.
Respite care, especially at assisted living communities, is also available to healthy, independent seniors who want to provide relief to their caregivers, so they may take a much-needed vacation, travel for work, or simply attend to their home maintenance and personal business. Brief-stay assisted living may also be a good short-term alternative if their or your home has become temporarily unsafe or uninhabitable, due to an emergency or a renovation. Finally, respite care is also a great way to experience a trial period for an assisted or senior living community by your loved one before making a permanent move.
Whatever the need, respite care programs provide short-term residents full access to all the amenities and care that their senior living programs offer on a daily basis, from the accommodations, medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, and housekeeping services, to the full schedule of social and spiritual activities and flexible dining options designed by registered dietitians who understand the unique nutritional needs of the aging body.
And just like long-term residency, each short stay starts with a thorough evaluation to create a custom care plan, including nursing supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, transportation to doctor’s appointments and much more. Depending on the senior living community, respite services can be available for a variety of care levels, from assisted living like The Medallion, to memory care and skilled nursing.
And, a short stay away from the day-after-day routine at home can provide someone you love an opportunity for socialization with their peers, with activities designed for them, where they do not have to experience sitting out the fun, watching the rest of the family engage in play they cannot join. Whether your loved one needs additional care to recover from an illness or you need to take a break from being a caregiver, consider the gift, and mitzvah, of a respite stay for both of your well-being.
If you’d like to know more about The Medallion Assisted Living Residence respite services, contact our Community Relations Director, Loren Gordon at 713-778-5702.