Providing full-time elderly care for a loved one is often challenging. Whether you’re dealing with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or a vivacious and active senior, it can be overwhelming at times to be responsible for their well-being day and night. This is when respite care becomes a valuable resource to utilize, giving you a break to run errands, take a short vacation, or simply indulge in some much-needed alone time. When the residents of Cincinnati, OH, request a reprieve from their duties, they trust the staff at Mount Washington Care Center to keep their loved ones safe.

Below, the senior living facility goes over a few steps you should take when making respite care arrangements:

• Stay Organized & Schedule Care in Advance: It’s a good idea to keep a calendar of all your upcoming appointments and events, so you know which dates you may need respite care to take over your obligations. It’s typically recommended that you schedule as far in advance as possible to make sure your chosen facility has openings. 
• Evaluate the Type of Services You Will Need: Every senior has different needs and requires a different level of care. It’s important to evaluate the type of services your loved one will need in your absence and make sure the facility can accommodate. This may include helping them with basic everyday tasks like getting dressed, bathing, and going to the bathroom, or simply giving them medications and keeping them entertained.
• Include Your Loved One in Making Plans: If possible, it’s essential that your loved one understand when you will be leaving them in respite care. A sudden change in their normal routine can cause confusion or make them upset. You also want them to be comfortable with their new surroundings, so it’s best to include them in the plans.

Following these tips will make it easier to line up respite care when you need it and ensure your loved one is placed in a welcoming, stable environment. Taking time off from your caregiver responsibilities every now and then will reduce your stress and help you rejuvenate. Contact Mount Washington Care Center at (513) 231-4561, or visit them online to learn more about the facility and the services they offer.