Respite Care Benefits the Caregiver and the Loved OneCaregivers do wonderful services on a daily basis for family members who are elderly, frail, ill or disabled. Their services are generous, compassionate and are usually done selfishly. Caregivers do wonderful services on a daily basis for family members who are elderly, frail, ill or disabled. Their services are generous, compassionate and are usually done selfishly. Providing care for another individual even if that individual is a loved one is a time commitment as well as a commitment of duty. It often requires a physical, emotional and mental giving that can take a toll on the caregiver over time. Especially for those caregivers who give 24-hour care it may happen that they are so consumed with caring for their loved one that needs that they have go unnoticed or are neglected. This can cause health problems or problems with depression if respite care is not given on a regular basis. At some point the caregiver will need a break, to rest or to be without the strains of constantly caring for another individual. Programs have been established that offer respite for those who need it. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) is a program established as a result of the enactment of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000. This program recognizes the many benefits to the caregiver of receiving respite care.
Respite care can give the caregiver the opportunity to attend church, have a pedicure, go shopping, or go to a medical appointment. Respite gives the caregiver a break to attend to personal matters, to re-connect with other loved ones and to spend time away from the responsibilities of care giving that allow the caregiver to be renewed and re-energized. The caregiver can go out to eat or to see a movie, take a much-needed nap, or visit friends and family members. There are obvious benefits for the caregiver who receives respite care.
Respite care also benefits the loved one who is receiving the care. The respite allows the caregiver to be less stressful and to be able to care for the individual when they return from respite in a manner that shows that they are renewed. Sometimes it is good for the loved one to receive care from another individual once in while to receive companionship from others. The presence of a respite programs can at times allow the individual to remain in their home longer because it prevents caregiver burnout by giving emotional support to the caregiver. Issues with Caregivers
|
