The Importance of Respite Care

Caring for a loved one who is elderly or otherwise ill can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. It’s a commitment of love and trust, but it can also be a tremendous amount of hard work. The work is helpful, because it can make both you and your loved one feel better about a difficult situation or illness. But that kind of work can also be exhausting. You are making a commitment that is not just emotional, but also practical, in terms of the time needed to properly give the care required. There is a danger in forgetting that caring for your loved one includes caring for yourself, and part of that involves knowing when you need a break. Otherwise you may be at risk for caregiver burnout which is a very real concern. Symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It could be that you find yourself withdrawing from outside family and friends, and losing interest in hobbies, interests, and plans that don’t involve your ailing loved one. Sleep, appetite, and moods can be affected in adverse ways, and you could end up feeling or actually being physically and emotionally exhausted. That can put you at risk for becoming ill yourself, since stress can affect the immune system. If any of these feelings or symptoms sound familiar to you, you may be suffering from or reaching burnout. BrightStar Care, serving Bensalem, PA and all of Lower Bucks County, can help. Consider respite or family relief care to help you with your loved one. It’s important that everyone involved with care is getting all the help they need, and that includes you. And it is very important not to feel guilty or bad about needing help. Hiring respite care is not a failure in your caregiving abilities; in fact, it is actually a huge plus. It means that you know you need help and are ready to take the steps to get it. That is one of the best things that you can do for yourself and the person you are caring for. With BrightStar caregivers, you don’t have to worry about who you are bringing into your loved one's home. All of our in-home care professionals are trained, insured, and bonded. So when you call us for respite or family relief care, you can feel secure in the knowledge that you are bringing in trusted, skilled help that will know what to do for your loved one. And you feel confident that you are doing something that will make you a stronger, better caregiver, and make the bond between you and your loved one that much more secure. Our respite services can take place in any setting that you require, including the home of your loved one. Help can be arranged for a few hours, a few days (including overnights, if needed), or long-term -- it’s all based in what you need from respite care. That allows you to take the time you need to relax, to care for other responsibilities that may have fallen by the wayside, or to explore interests that you may not have had the chance to try. You can travel if you need to, because we are there to ensure that your loved one is getting the time and care they need. Our caregivers can also assist with home support such as light household duties, such as caring for pets, light housekeeping and laundry, and other assistance as needed. If you are interested in respite or family relief, please call BrightStar Care of Lower Bucks County. We are here to answer your questions and help you determine what assistance you may need and how we can make sure you get it.