Benefits of Respite Care at Santa Marta

What Is Respite Care?

If you’re a family caregiver, you know taking care of a loved one can be very rewarding. You also know it can also be emotionally and physically draining. And it can become even harder to care for someone else if you’re not taking care of yourself. That’s when it’s a good time to consider respite care or adult day care services.

Respite care allows caregivers like you to take a much-needed break so they can recharge and tend to other important matters. It can also prevent you from becoming exhausted, isolated, or even burned out. There are several benefits of respite care for your loved one too, especially if you choose respite care at a senior living community like Santa Marta. Our respite care offers your loved one the opportunity to socialize with people their own age while enjoying a wide variety of engaging and stimulating activities.

Benefits of Respite Care

Family caregiving can be a 24/7 job. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to consider turning the care of a loved one — even for a few days — over to someone else. But it’s perfectly natural to need a break. No one works around the clock, day after day, without ever having a break or some time to themselves to look forward to. Taking time off is vital to your health and well-being. Here are a few of the most valuable benefits short-term respite care provides:

• Recharge: Respite care provides a reliable, trustworthy caregiving resource that can handle all your loved one’s personal care needs so you can take time for yourself.
• Peace of mind: By placing your loved one with qualified care providers, you don’t need to worry about whether or not their care needs are being met.
• Socializing: Respite care allows you to spend time reconnecting with friends and family members  to nurture other important relationships.
• Test drive: If you’re considering an assisted living community or other long-term care options, respite care provides a way to evaluate a senior living community and see how your loved one feels about it. If you decide to move them to another care setting, you’ll be more informed.
• Be yourself: Despite the 24/7 demands of caregiving, it’s crucial for you to maintain your sense of self by spending time following your interests outside of the caregiving role.

Making Respite Care Easy

Of course, it can be emotionally difficult to leave the person you’re responsible for in the care of someone else. You may experience feelings of guilt, worry, or a loss of control that could keep you from considering  respite care services. The best thing you can do is to prepare your loved one  and the respite care provider by:

• Keeping your loved one informed about anyone who will be providing their care
• Providing an organized and detailed schedule, including up-to-date emergency contact information
• Maintaining current instructions on diet, personal care, likes and dislikes, and specifics on what to do in case of emergency

Respite Care Costs

Providers offering respite care charge by the hour or by the number of days or weeks that services are provided. Most insurance plans don’t  cover these costs. Medicaid, long-term care insurance and VA benefits may offer assistance. Before choosing a respite care provider, be sure to ask them about their payment options.

Respite Care at Santa Marta

To see if short-term respite care at Santa Marta is right for you and your loved one, fill out our contact form or give us a call. We’d be happy to discuss our available accommodations, care services and activities.