Respite Care and the Importance of Breaks
Caring for a loved one who needs on-going care has a number of benefits, but it can also be physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually draining. In order for caregivers to maintain their own health, it is important for them to have a break. When a loved on requires constant supervision or care, however, it can be difficult to find the time to take that break. This is where respite care comes in.
Respite care is designed to provide short-term care for your loved ones when you need to get away. The service can run from half an hour to several days. While many caregivers feel guilty about leaving their loved one, let 's take a look at a few of the reasons behind the importance of breaks.
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When trying to "break" prisoners, interrogators may use sleep deprivation; your body 's need for sleep is that important. According to WebMd, 90 percent of people who suffer from a lack of sleep also have another medical disorder. Chronic lack of sleep has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. In short, you need to take a break every now and then just to make sure you are properly rested. If you fall ill, who will care for your loved one?
You have to take care of your "life" as well. Falling behind on bills, skipping doctors appointments, letting the dishes pile up in the sink, withdrawing from your own friends...these are common traits among caregivers. Respite care gives you a chance to keep things caught up in your own life before they get too far behind or out of hand.
It stabilizes your emotions. Nearly every caregiver surveyed in study after study admitted to harboring feelings of resentment and frustration. This led to feelings of guilt. Being able to take a break gives you the ability to stay fresh and not get burned out. By preventing feelings of frustration and resentment, you are able to give better care from a more stable frame of mind.
Whether it is for a couple hours and a few weeks out of the year, taking advantage of respite breaks is an essential piece to the caregiving