When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it’s common for a close family member to step into the role of primary carer. You may move into your loved one’s house to be closer, should they need you day or night, and other responsibilities may be missed.
Over time, you may feel tired, burned out, or even resentful of your carer responsibilities. It’s essential to remember that taking breaks is crucial to your mental and emotional well-being. Today, we’ll explore different types of respite care to help you look after your own health, too.
What is respite care?
Respite care provides temporary relief for carers by arranging for someone else to look after the individual in need of support, allowing the carer to take a much-needed break. This can be delivered at home or away, depending on the preferences of both the carer and the person with dementia.
Respite care supports your well-being by preventing burnout and exhaustion, allowing you to take the time to focus on your own health and overall wellness. You can do this safely, knowing that your loved one is safe at home with an experienced, compassionate carer.
Why do family carers need breaks?
A common issue for family carers is that they think they don’t need breaks. You may find it difficult to carve out time for yourself when your loved one is at home, but taking breaks is important to your own well-being. Having regular time away will help you manage your responsibilities more effectively.
There are plenty of reasons why you should prioritise breaks with the help of respite care, including:
- Catch up on work and family life: Respite care gives you time to focus on other important aspects of life, such as work, children and home life.
- Enjoy time away from home: Spend time away from home without stress or guilt about how your loved one is doing at home.
- Stop thinking about symptoms: Enjoy time to yourself that doesn’t involve constant symptom checking and monitoring.
- Be a better carer: Taking time for yourself allows you to return feeling rested, relaxed and recharged.
- Ease tensions and frustrations: Tension between the family carer and the loved one is normal, but taking regular breaks can help reduce its severity.
- Prioritise self-care, hobbies and socialising: Give yourself time to focus on your own passions instead of having your life revolve around caring for others.
Types of respite care
When planning a break from providing care to someone with dementia, several types of respite care options are available to consider.
These include:
Care at Home
Home care is a good option for respite support, especially when the individual involved is experiencing dementia symptoms such as memory loss and confusion.
- Friends and family: If you and your loved one have enough friends and family members close to you, you may be able to create a schedule where someone visits your loved one each day while you’re away. Someone may offer to stay in your loved one’s home to provide 24/7 support and keep the routine as similar as possible.
- Home care providers: Home care involves a professional carer coming to your loved one’s home for scheduled visits or short-term respite. Choosing an agency like Trinity Homecare allows you to create a tailored care plan for your loved one, so you know they’re in trusted hands while you’re away.
There are several home care respite options available, such as:
- Live-in respite care: A carer temporarily moves into your loved one’s home, so you can leave the house without worrying about their safety.
- Companionship care: Carers provide companionship rather than practical care, supporting individuals with activities such as playing memory games, engaging in hobbies and participating in social activities.
- Overnight care: Night time support should they wake up, so you can get some uninterrupted sleep.
- 24-hour care: Carers allow your loved one to remain at home while you take an extended break or go on holiday.
Care away from home
Home care isn’t always possible for families without a suitable spare room, or the individual with dementia may not feel comfortable with someone new in their home.
- Day centres: Day centres are great places for people with dementia to meet new people and engage in activities they may not usually participate in. You can take your loved one, and they can enjoy a few hours at the centre before being picked up after your break.
- Holidays together: Another form of respite is taking a holiday together. This gives you a break from your usual care routine and helps you both have fun without the tension that may be present at home. Some organisations provide specialist holidays for people with dementia and their carers, including support and special facilities.
- Care homes: Many care homes offer short-term respite care, and this involves your loved one moving into a new room while you’re gone. They’ll be cared for by fully-trained staff with experience in dementia care, but the disruption in their routine may affect their symptoms.
Respite Care at Home or in a Care Home for Individuals With Dementia?
Residential or nursing homes are considered traditional care options, so you might think this is the only option when looking for respite care. However, there are plenty of benefits to home care for people with dementia.
These include:
- They can remain in their own home: This provides comfort and security through familiarity, helping to reduce anxiety, agitation and confusion.
- Improved mental health: Individuals with dementia who receive care at home often have better mental health outcomes than those in residential or nursing homes.
- Routines can stay the same: Remaining at home means you don’t have to worry about your loved one’s routine being changed by residential carers.
- Closer to loved ones: Home care enables your loved one to remain closer to their family, friends and community, which is essential for creating a sense of stability and predictability for individuals with dementia.
- Home care is often more affordable: Many families find that respite care at home is cheaper than in a care home, as they don’t have to pay for accommodation.
How Trinity Homecare can help
At Trinity Homecare, we take pride in providing bespoke, compassionate live-in and visiting care to anyone who needs us. Our carers are all fully trained and experienced in dementia care, and we’ll match you with the best depending on your loved one’s needs, wants and preferences.
From live-in dementia care to compassionate visits, we understand the importance of respite care for family carers. We’ll tailor your loved one’s care plan to follow the same practices as you, keeping their routine as similar as possible while you’re gone.
Feeling guilty about leaving your loved one is normal, which is why our carers can also provide emotional support to you. They’ll become part of the family, letting you put yourself first while your loved one gets the support they need from a trusted, friendly face.
Talk to Trinity Homecare Today
If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.
Call us on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
