What is Respite Living?
Respite living is a form of care organised between the primary care givers of an individual and a care giving organisation of choice. Essentially, it is an agreed upon period of time where the individual is given temporary full-time care by the organisation. Depending on the needs of the care givers/individual, this respite could be in the home or in a care facility. The idea of respite is that it gives the care primary care givers a rest from providing care for their person, whether that be a parent, grandparent or extended family member. It is key that we recognise the importance of respite living.
In today’s world, respite living is more important than ever. This is because care givers are under alot more pressure, not only dealing with the complex needs of their person, but also finding ways to balance their personal/social life and their work life, maintaining financial stability.
Why is respite living Important?
For quite a lot of people, providing full-time care for somebody with extra needs can become quite stressful, especially over an extended time period. This can result in primary care givers burning out, meaning their quality of care for their person is not as high as it should be. This gives the care givers a break in order to have some space to breathe before continuing to provide care. This allows the primary care givers to have time to focus on themselves or handle other responsibilities which they would not be able to tend to otherwise.
Care giving can be mentally and physically taxing, for a lot of individuals requiring care, there is a loss of independence. This may include simple daily activities like cooking or housework, but also may mean personal care such as hygiene and toileting. It is then the responsibility of the care giver to support their person with these things daily which can take a toll on the care giver. Giving them this break, allows them to maintain a high quality of full-time care for their person, which emphasises the importance of respite living.
Benefits for Caregivers
There are many benefits to respite living for the primary care givers of the individual receiving care. For the most part, these benefits are physical, mental, and emotional. Some of the key benefits for care givers are:
· Rest and stress relief;
· Improved mental and physical health;
· Time for personal needs (social, family or work); and
· Reduced burnout and guilt.
It is important that care givers remember that although providing care for their person is a priority, their own health and wellbeing is also a priority. In order to provide care for someone else, one must also first provide care for themselves.
From the earliest writings on family care, clinicians and caregivers themselves articulated the need for receiving breaks from the continual demands of providing care, signalling towards the importance of respite living.
Benefits for Recipients
Although respite living is mainly to give caregivers a break, it is also important to remember that the individual receiving care is the main focus. Respite care helps to enrichen the quality of life for the individual receiving care. During respite, the person receiving care becomes the front and centre focus, meaning there is the opportunity for them to have time to work towards their own goals or even participate in their own leisurely activities. Some of the key benefits of respite living for recipients are:
· Safe high quality care;
· Opportunities for social engagement;
· Guidance to work towards goals;
· Strengthening of independence; and
· A refreshing change of environment.
Respite living is not only a break for the primary caregivers, it is also something enjoyed widely by recipients if the right care is given.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should families consider respite living?
There is no one size fits all answer to this, is entirely dependent on the primary care givers of an individual. If there are signs of burnout, stress, emotional distress, then respite living can be a consideration. Primary caregivers of an individual may have other responsibilities outside of providing care, such as work, family, or personal, in which providing full-time care would hinder their ability to meet these responsibilities, then respite living should be considered.
How to Choose the Right Respite Option
Choosing the right respite living option means finding a service that feels safe, trustworthy and comfortable for you and your loved one. Look for caregivers who are trained in living up to the complex needs of your loved one, someone who is friendly, understanding, and able to meet your specific requirements. You should ask questions about their respite process and what they can offer (activities, routines, social outreach, etc). It is then advisable to find out if a short trial visit/stay can be organised, that way you get an understanding, and your loved one is able to express their thoughts, opinions and preferences before agreeing to sign up for anything.
If you or somebody you know are considering respite living, please feel free to reach out to us here and let us take away the stress and worries, and support you and your loved one to start working towards your goals.