Arista Wins Top Workplaces AwardThe saying goes “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” But refilling that cup isn’t always as easy as turning on the tap water. It’s often difficult for a care-GIVER to remember to be a care-TAKER of themselves. Using respite care services for your loved one so that you can refill your cup is not selfish, in fact, it’s an act of love and beneficial for both of you.
For even the most efficient, organized, time management-capable person, adding the daily care and needs of another person to your busy life can break your mental bank. The scheduling logistics alone can wear you down and the balancing act can have you feeling that you are working twice as hard to do things only half as well.
Add in the emotional energy invested in seeing this person that you care for declining physically, mentally, medically or all of the above, and you have a recipe for personal burnout. This is where respite care comes to the rescue.
Respite care, as explained by the National Institute on Aging, provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks. Some caregivers will choose regularly scheduled respite care on a weekly basis or use it on an as needed basis. Whatever form respite care takes, the common element is that it provides a trusted option for the adult caregiver to be able to take care of their own needs.
Just like hiring a babysitter for a much needed date night when your children are young is essential to the health of a marriage and provides a much needed break from responsibility, respite care provides the opportunity to reconnect, rejuvenate, and refresh physically, mentally and socially.
While caring for others we can often set our own needs aside. We lose our identity as anything other than a “caregiver.” Respite care also provides your loved one with new experiences, a change in environment, connections with clinical experts in the field and the opportunity to temporarily free you from the burdens of their care.
In a world where selflessness is so highly regarded, it’s difficult to remember the value and the absolute need for self-care. Utilizing respite care to refill your cup is an investment in yourself to be a better provider for others.
Know When to Ask for Help
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If caring for your spouse or parent becomes too difficult or problematic, help is available.
Contact Arista Home Care Solutions or call 419-754-1897 to find out more about our in-home senior and respite care services. We can help.
