Catered Living at Ocean Pines offers multiple levels of care, ensuring every resident receives personalized attention. We also help families and caregivers of elderly individuals by providing high-quality respite care for seniors. Respite care is a form of short-term senior care designed to give family caregivers a break from their duties.

Whether you need time off for yourself or a few weeks to recover from surgery, Catered Living at Ocean Pines can help by providing a safe, comfortable environment for your loved one. We created this blog to help you understand the benefits of respite care and discover how it supports seniors and their families.

 

 

The Importance of Respite Care

Senior respite care is extremely important because it gives older adults a safe place to go if their regular caregivers need a break. Although caregiving is rewarding, it’s also stressful. Family caregivers perform many important duties:

• Preparing meals
• Assisting with bathing and grooming
• Providing transportation to medical appointments
• Coordinating medical care and social services
• Managing finances
• Addressing emotional and social needs

With so many responsibilities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re trying to balance your caregiving duties with work and/or parenting responsibilities.

What Is the Purpose of Respite Care?

The purpose of elderly respite care is to give a senior’s primary caregiver a short-term break. You can use the time to shop, clean your house, take a short vacation or attend to your own medical needs.

One of the main benefits of respite care is not having to worry about your loved one’s well-being. Residential respite care offers a secure environment where seniors can socialize with each other and receive assistance from compassionate staff members.

Who Needs Respite Care?

Respite care benefits families in the following circumstances:

• The primary caregiver needs a break to avoid burnout.
• A family emergency forces the primary caregiver to travel out of town with little notice.
• Caregivers need time off to deal with illnesses or injuries.
• A caregiver needs time to complete an important project at work.
• Family members need a few hours off to attend children’s activities.

Benefits of Respite Care for Seniors

Respite care has many benefits for older adults, including extra opportunities for social engagement. For example, seniors receiving respite care often play games, discuss their favorite books and have thought-provoking discussions.

Respite care providers, including Catered Living at Ocean Pines, also plan activities to keep participants engaged. Socializing reduces the risk of depression, so respite care often leads to improved mental and emotional well-being.

Another benefit of respite care for seniors is that it provides access to professional medical and personal care. Residential respite care facilities have trained staff members available to help with medication management, activities of daily living and other needs.

Finally, respite care helps reduce the risk of caregiver burnout, a state of exhaustion that develops due to the stress of managing another person’s physical, emotional and social needs. Burnout causes many concerning symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, sudden changes in sleep patterns and feelings of hopelessness.

 

 

Take the Next Step: Explore Respite Care Options

Explore the respite care options available at Catered Living at Ocean Pines. Call (410) 671-0590 to book a tour.

Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers

If you’re running on empty after several months — or even years — of continuous caregiving, respite care gives you a much-needed break, allowing you to rest and recharge. While your loved one is participating in fun activities and making new friends, you can also attend to important personal matters, such as getting medical screening tests or running errands.

When you’re stressed out, you may start feeling impatient or get upset more quickly than usual. Respite care relieves physical and emotional stress, so it can also improve your relationship with your loved one.

How to Choose the Right Respite Care Provider

It’s natural to be nervous about leaving your loved one with a new caregiver. The good news is that careful research makes it possible to find the right respite care setting for your needs. The first step is to create a list of respite care providers in your area.

Next, contact each provider to ask questions:

• How long have you been providing respite care?
• What type of training do your staff members receive?
• Do you require seniors to stay a minimum number of days?
• What steps do you take to keep seniors safe while they’re staying with you?

Before you commit to a particular facility, visit in person to make sure it meets your loved one’s needs. Talk to staff members to learn more about what your family can expect.

Catered Living at Ocean Pines has everything a senior needs to feel comfortable. We have a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, beautiful landscaping and other amenities. Catered Living at Ocean Pines also has a nurse on call 24-7 to ensure your loved one’s well-being.

 

 

Schedule Your Tour Today!

Call (410) 671-0590 to schedule a tour of Catered Living at Ocean Pines.

Preparing for Respite Care

If you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits of respite care, here’s what you should pack for your loved one:

• Medical history/medication list
• Advance health care directive, if available
• Comfortable clothing
• Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, denture supplies)
• Mobility aids (walker, cane, wheelchair, etc.)
• Contact information for several family members
• Insurance card
• Comfort items (blankets, pillows, footrest)
• Personal devices (cell phone, tablet, e-reader)

Catered Living at Ocean Pines has extensive experience providing respite care, so we offer a smooth transition process designed to reduce stress and put your loved one at ease. This process gives you extra peace of mind and makes it easier to take advantage of the benefits of respite care, such as reduced stress and better family relationships.

Contact Us for More Information

We’re standing by to answer any questions you have about respite care for older adults. Contact us today to learn how your family can benefit from this type of senior care.