Do you have a family member who needs constant attention and care? Some examples of conditions that require round-the-clock care are Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.
Are you struggling to get enough rest so you can function at work and at home? Milestone Health Services Halton understands that you may feel guilty about needing time for yourself, and that it may seem like you’re neglecting your loved one. The reality is that you just need some time to recharge so you can give your family the best of yourself. No one can keep the oil burning all the time; it’s not a sustainable plan!
What is respite care?
Respite care is not a commonly used term unless you are in need of it, or you work in the health care industry. It’s pronounced ress-pie-t in Canada, and ress-pit in the U.S. It’s a service that offers temporary care to a dependent elderly or disabled person in the home giving their usual caregivers a break.
This means that when you have someone providing you with respite care, you can get a good nights’ sleep because you can have peace of mind knowing that a caregiver who is prepared to take over. Milestone Health Services Halton will match you with a caregiver who has been pre-screened, and is a good fit for your family.
Some ways a caregiver can help while you rest:
- alert you and the paramedics in the event of an emergency
- making sure they don’t wander out the door in the middle of the night
- accompany your parent or family member to the bathroom safely
- change diapers when needed
- observe that your loved one doesn’t fall out of bed (we can also find bed equipment to help with that!)
- provide company to the patient during restless times, helping to soothe them back to sleep
- advise you of any significant events when you wake up
How do you decide if respite care is what you need?
Many families choose to keep their elderly parents or relatives in the family home rather than arrange for assisted living, where a nurse is on duty all the time.
Every family has a unique situation. You may work from home and can be available to care for your parent, or there are enough caregivers within your own family that a schedule can be agreed upon to manage all the duties. Maybe you’re a shift worker and need to rest at off-times.
The list above offers ideas of how respite care can help you during sleeping hours, but it can also help during the day by:
- allowing you to run errands, attend meetings or appointments
- providing sleep time during off-hours
If you’re feeling fatigue, stress, and are unable to help your loved one to your fullest ability because you’re not getting enough sleep, it may be time to consider respite care services.
Asking for help doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing a fantastic job with caring for your parent. We want to help you stay healthy and balanced so you can take part in everything 100%!
How can Milestone Health Services Halton help?
We can design a plan that fits your life. We encourage you to discuss respite care with your family. Our team wants to work with you and your family to help you achieve balance in your lives, while maintaining high quality care for your parent or family member.
We know that it’s not easy to allow a stranger into your home, but we want to ensure that we find a caregiver who makes you comfortable about it.
If you live in the Halton area, including Georgetown, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Mississauga North, contact Milestone Health Services Halton for a complimentary in-home assessment at 1-888-509-9394 or 905-864-9020. You can also use our online contact form.