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Caring for someone in their senior years can deepen your relationship and be incredibly rewarding. However, if their mobility is limited, it might be difficult to see the world while also attending to their needs. From coordinating your loved one’s medical treatments to arranging their respite care, there are many considerations to address as you prepare for a vacation. 

4 Tips for Taking a Break From Caregiving  

1. Avoid Burnout  

You’re devoted to your loved one, which is why you may feel such a sense of responsibility for their well-being and happiness. But the duties as a caregiver can be demanding. They take a physical and emotional toll, and over time, this can limit your capacity to feel empathetic and patient.

It’s crucial to take time for yourself to unwind. Afterward, you’ll feel rejuvenated and happier in your relationship with your loved one.   

2. Find Respite Care 

Most people begin by talking with trustworthy friends and family members to see if anyone can assist their loved one while they’re gone. But there are some trade-offs to this arrangement. For example, if your loved requires extensive care, it can be difficult to get an untrained friend or relative to commit to those tasks—or know how to perform them properly. There’s also the risk that an individual could get sick or experience an emergency that requires them to cancel last-minute. 

respite careIf you need to find a caregiver who’s knowledgeable and reliable in every situation, professional respite care might be the best option. Many assisted living communities offer temporary apartments and staff to support seniors while their full-time caregivers take a vacation. This option provides peace of mind because medical professionals are on-site, and caregivers are available around the clock. Residents can even enjoy their stay by attending events and making new friends. 

3. Provide Information on Your Loved One’s Care 

Before you leave, gather a few documents and give them to your loved one’s temporary caregiver.  

Include the following information:

  • A list of your loved one’s medications, including the dose and frequency  
  • Your loved one’s physicians and preferred pharmacy  
  • Your loved one’s insurance information  
  • Their allergies, health conditions, and important medical history 
  • A power of attorney, living will, advance directives, and DNR order for your loved one 
  • Other relevant notes that could inform their care, such as dietary restrictions or a prescribed exercise regimen 

4. Stay in Touch  

Create a communication plan with designated check-in times and more than one outreach method, such as phone, email, or an international messaging service like Skype® or WhatsApp®.

You should also offer multiple points of contact if you’re traveling with other people. Provide the same contact information to the person who will be responsible for your loved one in your absence.

 

If you decide to take a vacation and want to enlist professional and compassionate aid while you’re away, Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living in St. Croix County, WI, will help. The senior assisted living community offers temporary respite care for anywhere between two and 90 days. To learn more about their vibrant, enriching environment and memory care services, visit their website. To schedule a tour for you and your loved one, call (715) 381-7333 today. 

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