When your aging loved one can’t master the daily tasks of living independently, they rely on you as the family caregiver to help in a number of areas. While your assistance and care are much needed and appreciated, it can quickly become overwhelming and exhausting. High stress levels are common in family caregivers, and at no time of the year is this more apparent than during the winter holiday season.
You can hire home care providers to help you with your aging loved one during this busy time of year, so you can reduce your stress levels and achieve balance in your life. Instead of feeling resentment, guilt, and frustration at your situation, respite care can relieve you of some of your responsibilities, so you can embrace the aspects of the holiday that bring you peace, joy, and fulfillment.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is when you hire a professional to take over your caregiving duties as they relate to an elderly loved one. Just as you perform certain daily tasks for your aging relative, the home care provider does them for you while you are away. From household tasks such as laundry, pet care, and light housekeeping to personal care of the senior, home care providers can do it all with compassion and experience.
You don’t have to restrict your use of respite care to the holidays, although there are certainly some clear advantages to it. In fact, you can hire home care providers all year long whenever you need respite care. Instead of feeling stressed and burned out, you can take regular time away from your responsibilities and practice some self-care instead.
Advantages of Holiday Respite Care.
As you know from caring for your aging loved one, it’s common to feel overburdened as you try to balance their needs with your responsibilities. If you have a job, children, or other areas of your life that need your attention, these often suffer in favor of your caregiving duties. Don’t let your relationships with others suffer during the busy holiday season when respite care is available. You can participate in the holiday events and traditions that are meaningful to you, knowing your loved one is safe and comfortable at home with a professional.
Respite care during the holidays is also good for your mental health. You simply cannot do it all, and you may feel guilty or resentful at the time and attention your aging relative needs from you. Respite care from a qualified home care provider means that you can attend to other things guilt-free, which in turn reduces your stress levels. During this holiday season, give yourself the gift of balance and harmony in your life as you rely on respite care from home care providers.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable home care in Oakwood, GA and the surrounding areas. Call (678) 828-2195 for more information.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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