How to get the most out of your respite care

When should I consider respite care?

Sometimes, caring for someone else can mean we put our own needs to the back of our minds. But it’s important to take a break every now and again and look after yourself. Many experts recommend that you make use of respite care as regularly as possible.

Support from societies such as Carers UK and Carers.org can help to show carers how they can look after their own health and wellbeing with articles and blogs like this one on Support to Keep you, and the Person You Care For, Healthy.

‘Burnout’ is something that can affect people who provide care on a regular basis and the signs, although different from person to person’ can include:

• Stress around your role of carer – loss of interest or worry that you aren’t coping
• Trouble sleeping or getting proper rest
• Falling ill more often – being more susceptible to common colds for example
• Feeling irritable or like your moods aren’t under control
• Stress eating or loss of appetite

It’s important to notice these signs so you can deal with them as quickly as possible. It’s ok to need a break and you can trust Cavendish Homecare to provide the very best in respite care for your loved one.

Preparing a loved one for respite care

A good respite care provider will take the time to get to know you and your loved one to make sure their needs are met, and your mind is put at rest. After all, if you are worried about them while you are away, you are not likely to have an enjoyable or relaxing break.

Respite carers, nurses and staff will create a bond with your loved one before you go on your break, finding out what they like and their needs. A care plan will be planned to make sure nothing is left out and all your requirements are met.

Here are some steps that you can take to make sure you are happy to leave your loved one in respite care and can make the most of your time away or at home.

Put all the relevant information in one place

Make sure you have documents relating to your care of a loved one in place. If you’re a primary caregiver, you need all the relevant health and legal forms in case you’re unavailable to provide the necessary information while your loved one is being cared for.

Remember to include contact information for yourself, your loved one’s GP and any family that can be reached if you aren’t going to be available. Details of medication and anything your loved one needs to make sure they receive the best care are also important.

If you have all this information in a file, you’ll feel more organised and the respite care provider will know they have everything they need while you are away.

Get necessary finances in order

In the same way, make sure finances are taken care of before you leave for your break. If you need to apply for funding for respite care, you may need some extra time while you wait for paperwork to be completed.

Visit the respite care provider

Visiting where your loved one will be staying while you are away will help to alleviate any extra worries you may have. You can ask about supervision, activities and meals or anything else you think might be important. At Cavendish Homecare offer:

• Options from one-hour visits to 24hour live-in care
• Clinical expertise in a range of chronic conditions including Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease
• The ability to work alongside a range of teams, including GPs, Nurses, Physicians and Therapists
• A dedicated management team to guide and support you

We would love for you to come and see us to find out if we’d be a good fit for your loved one.

Make the most of your break

When you have done everything to get respite care in place, make sure that you enjoy your time off. Do things that will help you return to caring feeling energised and relaxed. Take the time you need, safe in the knowledge that your loved one is safe and well looked after.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

When you are a caregiver for a loved one, you may sometimes need to take a short break. This could be for a holiday, to take some time for yourself – to attend to personal matters or simply relax and recharge. Respite care is a service available to help you cover this time and ensure your loved one is taken care of while you are away.

At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing respite homecare for clients who want to remain in their own homes. When it comes to your health and well-being, choosing the right homecare package is of utmost importance and navigating this process can be overwhelming. With Cavendish Homecare by your side, you’ll have the support you need to remain safely at home while enjoying elevated health and wellbeing.

If you would like to enquire about our respite care and other services, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.