Having an opportunity to take advantage of respite time is a true gift for family caregivers. But if you’re not sure what to do with that time, you might find that it’s over before you realized it.
Accept It!
It probably sounds silly, but how often has your first reaction when offered respite time been that you can make do without help? Your very first reaction when someone offers you respite care help, whether they’re personally taking over or they’re helping you find elderly care providers, is to accept that help right away.
Run Some Errands
Whether they’re for your elderly family member or for you, errands have a way of piling up. It makes sense to tackle those at once, if you can, but that’s not always something you have time to do. When someone else is with your aging adult, however, that gives you the time and space you need to safely run errands without rushing.
Take Time Just for You
When is that last time that you did something just for you? You can read a book, take a soak in the tub, or meet a friend for coffee to catch up. Not having time for these activities often can make you forget how important they can be for recharging and refreshing you.
Find a Support Group
If you haven’t already joined a support group, you might want to reconsider. Support groups are made up of other caregivers who are going through some of the same situations that you’re going through. They can help you to find help with specific issues in your area and they can share what they’ve done in the past to help their aging adults.
Do Some Future Planning
Something else that you might consider doing with respite time is spending some time thinking about future planning. You might even want to set aside regular respite time just for this. It can be so difficult to balance all of the different tasks and appointments that you, your elderly family member, and the rest of your family balance that having the time to really focus on your schedule for a little while can give you clarity.
As you become more accustomed to taking respite time for yourself, you will develop a fuller plan for what you most need to do with that time. Home care services can step in and give you a break anytime.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring home care in Chino, contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Homecare today at 951-382-5266.
About Kristi Duran
Kristi Duran is the owner of No Place Like Home Homecare. Kristi started NPLH because of her absolute love for seniors. She was raised by her grandparents from the day she was born. Kristi has a special connection to seniors and understands their wishes and needs to stay independent.
Kristi has worked in the medical field for years and has seen first-hand how aging seniors want nothing more than to age in the comfort of their own home with dignity and grace. At NPLH, she and her caregivers insure that this happens.
NPLH is not a large franchise. It is a personal family owned homecare service. This insures a one on one personalized touch. Kristi is available 24 hours a day to her clients and their families.