In a matter of moments, your responsibilities in life can shift from those of a full-time employee, to an unpaid caregiver. Whether it’s for an aging parent or recovering sibling, voluntary family aid is estimated to be worth $375 billion a year and 29 percent of Americans provide some sort of care to ill, disabled or aging family members or friends.
While there’s no doubt you care deeply for your loved ones, caregiving is often a full-time job that can impact your personal wellbeing and work performance. However, you may not feel comfortable signing away complete caregiving responsibilities to a professional caretaker or nursing home – this is where respite care can help. This service is designed to offer you temporary relief by having a professional caregiver come in and tend to your loved ones so you can deal with other aspects of your life.
Here are three benefits of investing in respite care services:
- Increased time: Without help, family caregivers tend to spend 20 hours a week taking care of their loved ones. Respite care gives you time back so you can focus on your daily commitments while your loved ones are cared for at the same time.
- Decreased stress: From physical, emotional and financial stress, caregiving can be tough, especially if you’re juggling work and family at the same time. Respite care can help you rest and relax when you need it most. In fact, 98 percent of family caregivers said the service increased their ability to provide a less stressful environment at home, according to the Oklahoma Respite Resource Network.
- Better health: Family caregivers tend to forego their personal health for the sake of their loved ones, ultimately leading to increased illness. Respite care can help you stay healthy by giving you more time to rest. Even if it’s just four hours per week, 64 percent of family caregivers reported improved physical health while 78 percent claimed better emotional health as a result of respite care.
As a family caregiver, it’s okay to want time to yourself as everyone deserves the opportunity to take a break. To find out more about the benefits of respite care, contact your local FirstLight Home Care today. Our caregivers are specially trained to help you help your loved ones.