Respite care provides family members caring for ailing or disabled loved ones with the breaks they often need. It provides assistance for short durations, such as an afternoon while the main caregiver runs errands or spends time with a spouse, or longer periods, such as several weeks. To better understand what this service involves, consult the guide below.

What You Need to Know About Respite Care

Location

Respite care takes place within the disabled or ill individual’s home, at adult day care centers, residential centers offering overnight stays, and health care facilities. For example, a non-medical caregiver or registered nurse could come to your loved one’s home to provide services such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, and medication administration.

Types of Patients

Loved ones who qualify for respite care include those with serious illnesses, conditions, or disabilities. If you are looking after someone with a brain injury, for example, you could arrange respite care several times a week to focus on exercises that will aid in their recovery. Other people who need respite care include cancer, Alzheimer’s or dementia, and stroke patients, as well as individuals who have lost their sight or basic motor skills.

Benefits

Respite care provides patients with the assistance and companionship they need to maintain their quality of life. In addition to meal preparation, medication administration, and personal care assistance, respite care workers help patients exercise and enjoy the outdoors. If the care takes place at an assisted living facility or similar center, the caregiver may help the patient participate in assorted classes and activities, such as an arts and crafts or dance class.

Main caregivers can easily create respite care schedules based on what they need to do that day or week so they do not feel overwhelmed, stressed, and frustrated. This type of care subsequently benefits everyone involved.

Mount Washington Care Center is a family-owned and -operated senior living and respite care facility in Cincinnati, OH. They have been a part of the community for three decades, and have a highly experienced team of nurses on staff. Give them a call today at (513) 231-4561 to discuss your needs, and visit their website to learn more about their services.