Mutually Beneficial: The Value of Respite Care for British Columbia’s Seniors and Caregivers

Respite Care  |  March 11, 2024

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Respite Care for Seniors

According to the 2012 GSS, at some point in their lives, 46% of Canadians had provided some type of care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability, or aging needs.

The Value of Respite Care | Caring for an aging loved one can be a rewarding experience. In many cases, it provides the opportunity to give back to someone who may have played an important part in your life, allowing for a genuine reconnection. Caring for a parent, in particular, can be especially valuable, as there is often a sense of things coming “full circle.”

However, even in ideal situations, caregiving can ultimately become a demanding job – one that’s taxing on the mind, body, and spirit. And for those who work a full-time job and have a family to care for, assisting a loved one can add great stress. Many discover that, while initially rewarding, family caregiving can yield negative results in the long run. A recent study, conducted by the Stanford Center for Longevity and the Stanford University of Psychology Department, found that family caregivers are more likely to experience depression when caring for a severely ill loved one.

It seems only natural that family caregivers would desire a break, but we often push ourselves past reasonable limits, with the mentality of “I can do it all” and that anything less would be seen as a sign of weakness. In reality, asking for help is anything but selfish – and finding temporary relief, or respite care, can greatly benefit both parties.

The Value of Respite Care For Caregivers:

• Look at the caregiving situation from a different perspective
• Catch up with family and friends or even meet new people
• Focus on personal health and well-being
• Remain involved in hobbies or pastimes
• Find time for relaxation and personal comfort
• Run errands or take care of finances
• Return to the loved one with a renewed sense of purpose

Respite care allows seniors to still receive the appropriate level of care, even in the absence of a family caregiver. Additionally, seniors may feel as if they’re a burden on their loved ones, so having a care professional substitute can help reduce feelings of guilt.

Next Steps for Finding Senior Respite Care

There is no set protocol for getting respite care for an aging loved one, as it will always depend on the situation itself and the individuals involved. There are, however, certain things to consider, the first and most important of which is communication with your loved one. He or she should be apprised of not only the desire to find respite care, but also how much time will be needed, where you will be, and why you’re doing it in the first place. The discussion should ultimately reference the benefits listed above, and focus on the long-term goal of strengthening the relationship.

The Cost of Senior Respite Care

Cost is certainly a factor, and knowing the exact needs of your loved one will dictate the level of expertise and skillset needed in his or her caregiver. Carefully assess what he or she requires daily, and communicate everything to the care providers you speak to. Organization is the other important factor. While relief from caregiving certainly will offer peace of mind, you’ll feel much better knowing who is watching your loved one and when. Similarly, you will want to keep family and friends updated so that they don’t needlessly worry about the loved one’s care situation and arrangements.

Senior Respite Care and Caregiver Support

Caregiver support can come from other family members, friends, faith group volunteers, adult daycare centers, in-home care services, and residential facilities. While there are plenty of options to explore, it’s important to remember that what you choose should ultimately align with your loved one’s needs and budget. No matter what, it will take careful planning and organization, but the benefits are invaluable – for both you and your loved one.

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our team of expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need Home Care in North Vancouver & West Vancouver for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® help seniors in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, along with the surrounding areas, to live happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes by providing quality, compassionate care, and safety technology solutions to preserve independence and contribute to a better life.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their quality of being empathetic. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. This is the kind of care that originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. 

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

References:

• AARP. “Develop a Respite Plan.” Web. 2017.
• AARP. “What is Respite Care? A Break for the Caregiver.” Web. 2017.
• Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center: Respite Care.” Web. 2017
• Stanford Center on Longevity. “Age and Emotional Well-Being: The Varied Emotional Experience of Family Caregivers” by Sarah Raposo, Jessica Barnes, Tamara Sims, Amy Yotopoulos, Lara Carstensen, Mary Bowman, Jacquelyn Kung. Web. 2017.
• Statistics Canada. “Portrait of caregivers, 2012.”  Web. 2017

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