Caregiving for a disabled, ill, or senior family member is a demanding job that’s difficult to do alone. It can come with challenges and be physically and emotionally draining.
Luckily, respite care services can be of huge benefit. It provides a chance for caregivers and people with care needs to reboot and take a break from their day-to-day routine. It also gives your disabled or elderly loved one a chance to spend time with someone different and perhaps learn and do some new things.
Let’s look at what respite care is, its benefits, who it is for, and how you can choose the perfect respite care provider.
What is Respite Care
Respite care is designed to offer your loved ones and their informal support a short break.
It involves staying in a short-term accommodation where they are treated to a change of scenery and a break from routine, while their caregiver may also get some time for themselves.
There is more to respite care than just accommodation; it involves support and care during the stay. Depending on the level of care your loved one needs, the Short Term Accommodation provider may allow them to share a care provider with other individuals, which allows them to make new friends and develop new skills.
What’s more, your loved one can get capacity-building group activities as part of the contract, including group fitness activities, food/meal plans, day trips, personal care, or therapy sessions.
Respite care services can be provided through:
- Formal care through center-based services or in-home services funded by the NDIS
- Informal care from family or friends
What are the Benefits of Respite Care?
Respite care provides you with several options for you and your loved one to continue to receive high-quality care with the option of having some time apart. Some of its benefits include:
- Overall wellbeing: Respite care involves a holistic approach to care where the emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing of every individual is considered. Your disabled or aging loved one gets to meet new friends and engage in activities that improve their wellbeing. On the other hand, their regular caregivers can also get a break.
- Nutrition and hydration: Eating a healthy meal is vital for us all, even more so as an older or ailing person. During the short-term accommodation, your loved one gets to enjoy some of the best meals and drinks, crucial for their health, recovery, and strength.
- Stimulating environment: Respite residents get to enjoy the same benefits as permanent residents, including wellbeing activities. Stayers have the option to choose fun and exciting activities to take part in.
- Companionship: A respite care plan allows your loved one to meet other like-minded people and make new friends.
- Sustain relationships: Research shows that caregivers often suffer burnout and stress, which affects their social and personal life. Thus, giving them time off from providing care can improve mental health outcomes and avoid burnout.
Who is Respite Care for?
A senior or someone with a disability or illness may need around the clock care. In most cases, they have informal carers assigned to them to help them with their daily routines and tasks. However, these caregivers may sometimes need time to rest, shop, attend appointments, exercise, or go on vacation.
The NDIS views looking after caregivers, family, and support networks as a vital part of the overall care of an individual with a disability. With respite care, the health and wellbeing of all parties involved are catered for.
You might need respite care services if you’re in charge of an elderly individual (65 years or more) or someone with either of the following conditions:
– Cancer
– Stroke
– Dementia
– Blindness
– Brain injury
An impairment that leads to the reduction or loss of ability to carry out routine activities is usually regarded as a disability under the NDIS.
Choosing a Respite Care Provider
Understandably, if you have never used respite care services before, it might be hard to choose the perfect care provider for your loved one. However, basic research on the subject can help determine their credibility.
Here is a list of few things to look out for when selecting a respite care provider:
- Licensing: Be sure to choose a provider with the needed licenses to care for your loved one. Specifically, NDIS registered caregivers are the gold standard to offer you or your ailing or aging family member or friend the care they need.
- References: Look for testimonials from the provider’s website to ensure they are credible and trusted.
- Range of services: Be sure to choose a respite care provider with a wide range of services on top of the short-term accommodation.
If possible, involve your loved ones in selecting a respite care provider for them.
Trust OSAN’s Respite Care Services
If you’re looking for Respite care that meets the highest of standards, look no further than OSAN Ability. For years, we have been provided various respite care services, including:
- Emergency respite
- Regular, ongoing respite
- Short-term respite in a supported facility
- Respite for carers.
With highly experienced and qualified staff, we’ve created a perfect environment for your loved one to develop crucial social and life skills while providing you and your loved one’s regular carers a break. Contact us today for more information!
