Respite care can play a valuable role in creating a network of support for your loved one suffering with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as well as giving you a much-needed break to recharge.
Respite care can play a valuable role in creating a network of support for your loved one suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as giving you a much-needed break to recharge.
How does respite care help your loved one?
For individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s, there are great benefits to making the most of short-term or long-term respite care.
Respite care provides social interaction and stimulation
Respite care settings like aged care facilities offer great opportunities for your loved one to interact with others and engage in social activities in a safe, monitored environment. It’s a great chance to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and provide some emotional stimulation.
Respite care providers and specialist aged care facilities, like The Beach House, The Cottage and The Villa, often offer bespoke activity routines that can help stimulate cognitive function and create a sense of purpose for your loved ones. Whether it’s a sing and dance outside or something as simple as drawing, reading or painting nails, it can drive the sense of purpose often lost during the experience with dementia.
Respite care reintroduces routine and structure
One thing often forgotten or impacted by dementia or Alzheimer’s is a daily routine or wider structure. We tend to overlook how important structure is in our lives, something that can be magnified with a dementia diagnosis.
For someone struggling with dementia, reintroducing routine and structure into their lives can create a sense of satisfaction and daily predictability and help maintain a sense of normalcy. This can go a long way in reducing anxiety, confusion and disorientation.
Respite care creates safe environments
Dementia and aged care services provide specialist environments that guarantee the safety and security of your loved one, as well as a comfortable and enjoyable environment to express themselves.
Respite care providers typically have facilities purpose-built with security in mind – adequate fencing to prevent wandering, ramps with handrails, and wide steps for increased mobility, as well as round-the-clock monitoring and staffing.
This can be great for you as well as your loved one. By choosing a quality respite care provider, you can be assured your loved one is in a safe environment, offering peace of mind and comfort that when you leave, they’ll be well-cared for.
How can respite care benefit you?
We know the idea of leaving your loved one can be a scary thought for some people, especially in the further stages of cognitive decline associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Respite care can offer the well-needed break you’re looking for, and act as a viable alternative to 24/7 ongoing care.
Respite care gives caregivers a break
Respite care, whether long-term or just short-term can offer you an essential break to recharge, rest and attend to your own needs. We know caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be a full-time job and can be challenging (emotionally and physically), and it’s important to factor burnout and exhaustion into your care routine.
“Respite care allows caregivers time to rejuvenate and tend to important things in their daily lives, knowing their loved one is in a safe environment where their safety and comfort is front of mind,” said Angela Pullar, Sales and Marketing Manager at Ambridge Rose.
“We do tend to find once caregivers experience respite care, they are more open to seeking additional support, with many choosing long-term care with a trusted facility.”
Respite care can enhance your caregiving strategy
Respite care offers an opportunity to rest and reflect on your approach to caring for your loved one. It can be a great chance to assess your strategy to care and find ways to improve or make more efficient the care you can provide, outside of respite care.
Most respite care providers are also willing to share tips, tricks and latest methods of care, enhancing your ability to provide a better level of care at home.
Respite care providers may also be able to provide a more expert and detailed observation of what works for your loved one, whether that’s in terms of diet, activities they enjoy, and what to consider avoiding in their personal care routine.
The care team at Ambridge Rose is happy to discuss respite care needs for your loved one.