Guide to Respite Care Services

Caring for a loved one who is ill or recovering from an illness can be mentally and physically draining. What makes the situation worse is the fact that, despite your best effort, they might not be getting the level of care they deserve. This is where respite care comes into play. 

Quality home care is available in Westwood and the surrounding areas is more available and easier to find than ever. Having access to respite care when and as needed can make an enormous difference in the lives of recovering seniors and their families.

To find out more about respite care, read on!

What is respite care?

Respite care is a unique form of home care. It involves short-term visits from a caregiver. As the name implies, this temporary home care solution enables family caregivers who are usually preoccupied with caregiving to get some much-needed respite. Additionally, this is a flexible solution that comes without any strings attached, which is especially convenient in case of emergency.

Generally speaking, there are three forms of respite care:

• Adult day care respite services for seniors who are mainly independent but who want to engage in social activities during the day.
• Professional home care are provided  in the senior’s own home by professional caregivers who provide care to seniors who need some assistance with personal care and other activities such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, taking care of pets, etc.
• Residential respite care is a temporary service offered by some residential care communities for seniors. The service is available for short-term overnight stays.

Who uses respite care?

Respite care is a temporary solution for the care of the elderly and as such, it is designed for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving responsibilities which often become overwhelming. For instance, you may turn to a respite care provider if your elderly loved one has just returned home after a hospital stay and you cannot keep the situation under control by yourself.

But while respite care can be beneficial in that sense and could help relieve some of the daily stress family caregivers face, it is still a quick fix. If your elderly loved one’s needs have surpassed your capacities, it might be time to search for a more long-term solution such as in-home caregiving services.

What is included in respite care?

The level, scope and duration of respite care depends on the patient’s needs. Respite care may include all or some of the following services:

• Supervision and companionship
• Activities of daily living
• Household tasks, including feeding pets
• Transportation
• Meals
• Personal attention

Can you get respite care?

Some state agencies, local volunteer groups, senior centers, or other organizations in the community may offer some form of respite care. You can also turn to another family member, close friend, or neighbor, or look for a professional caregiver or a specialized facility. If you want your loved one to receive a higher level of personalized care in the comfort of their home over a longer period of time, finding a professional caregiver or home care agency would be the most reliable way to make that happen. 

Better home care in Westwood and the area for your peace of mind

Allow us to introduce you to compassionate and caring providers who can adapt the level and scope of home care to your aging parents’ changing needs, and who have experience in dealing with uncooperative clients and helping them overcome their resistance to care. You can now make time in your life for the things and people you love and care about without compromising the quality of care received by your parents in the comfort of their home in Westwood, the Westside region, or other parts of Los Angeles. To find out more, do not hesitate to contact us.