All You Want To Know About The Respite Care In India

by Aryan Singh About Nema ElderCare

Caregiving is a demanding job and no one is equipped to do it alone. In this blog, we will learn how respite care can give you a break and where to find services.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care offers temporary or short-term relief to the primary caregiver, it enables you to take a break from the responsibility as a caregiver. Respite care for elderly in India can either take place at your own home or at the senior living communities. Whether it is just for a few hours, days, or an extended vacation, respite care helps to relieve stress and maintain balance in your life. Respite care also benefits the person you are caring for. Also, seeking support to maintain your own health supports you to manage your role as an effective caregiver.

Types Of Respite Services

Respite care for elderly in India can have many forms but it comes down to two basic ideas: sharing the responsibility for caregiving and getting support for yourself. Respite care in India can mean using out-of-home programs such as adult day care centers, day camps, or nursing homes to provide you with a break and your loved one with the continued care that they need.

· In-home respite care

o In-home services can be provided by a volunteer or paid help, either occasionally as needed or on a regular basis.

o Volunteers may be available from the faith-based, community, and other non-profit organizations.

o Trained staff from home-care businesses are available to cover short periods of in-home care.

o Personal care providers can assist with daily living skills such as bathing, dressing, or feeding.

o Help with homemaking services such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and shopping.

o Skilled health care, which requires more specialized training and expertise, can address your loved one’s medical needs.

· Out-Of-Home Respite Care

o There is a range of private and non-profit respite programs available depending on your location. These can include:

o Adult day care centers are for the older adults who can no longer manage independently, or who are isolated and lonely.

o Old age homes that offer temporary residential facilities.

o Caregiver retreats and respite camps are available in some areas, combining respite with education and peer support.

Engaging Family Members In Respite Care

Family members and friends may be able to help out while you run an errand, take a break, or even go on vacation. However, just as the burden of caregiving is often more than one person can handle, it can also be a tough process for families to share. You can encourage support and participation by employing the following strategies:

· Talk openly and regularly.

· Encourage family members to evaluate what they can reasonably and honestly do.

· Recognize your own feelings and discuss disproportionate tasks.

· Use technology to bridge distances.

· Participate in support groups.

Overcoming Obstacles To Respite Care In India

While it may seem obvious to friends and family—and even yourself—that you desperately need a break from the physical and emotional demands of caregiving, actually seeking help is not always an easy step. When you’re the primary, long-term caregiver for a close family member, handing over the responsibility for their care can seem a daunting prospect.

Perhaps you feel that your daily caregiving routine is too complex to explain to another person or that taking time off will only create more problems when you return; it’s easier to just do everything yourself. Or maybe you feel that it’s wrong of you to ever feel tired of caring for someone you love. Perhaps you’re simply worried that the other person will not do enough care for your loved one. Or conversely, maybe deep down you’re worried that a respite carer will do a better job and you’ll somehow feel inadequate or no longer needed. These all are the common reason to decline respite care.

Planning Your Relief

Planning for respite care for elderly in India starts with analyzing the needs of both you and your loved one. Establishing the type, skills, frequency, and location of respite services is critical to ensure you receive appropriate support and your loved one continues receiving the best care. As a caregiver, is support what you need most? Or is it some regular free time? Or maybe help with transportation? Keeping a record of your daily activities will make it easier to hand over responsibility to a respite care provider while you take a break. It can also help to identify the areas and times when you most need help.

Getting The Most Out Of Respite Care

While finding and arranging respite care sounds like a lot of work, it’s important to remember that respite is not just a service, it’s an effect that comes from taking breaks from the stresses of caregiving.

· Plan and schedule frequent breaks.

· Use checklists to inform respite care providers about your loved one’s schedules, likes, and dislikes.

· Make back-up plans.

· Evaluate respite care providers often.

· Expect changes.

· Attend a support group regularly.