Respite Care: A Bridge to Long-Term Care Solutions

Most of life’s bigger decisions don’t come with a test drive. Yes, you can take a car out for a drive and maybe the dealer will let you keep it overnight, but beyond what it’s like to drive it, you don’t get a lot of insight into how it’ll be to own. However, when it comes to deciding if assisted living is a good choice for a loved one, respite care gives you a chance to get a feel for a community’s lifestyle before you decide. As you explore your respite care options in Johnson County, here’s some information to help you make a more informed decision.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a type of short-term senior care solution for older adults that fills in the gaps when a family caregiver needs to travel, run errands, visit friends, go to the doctor, or simply recharge. It can be for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks, and it usually involves either in-home care or a short stay at an assisted living community. Respite services for seniors typically include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and transportation. Another respite care benefit is you can use it for your loved one to recover after a medical procedure or hospital stay. During a respite stay, your loved one will have access to all the community’s services and amenities, having an opportunity to:

• Be included in daily activities including classes, events, and outings
• Socialize and dine with other residents
• Receive personalized care, companionship, and transportation
• Be under skilled supervision on secure grounds
• Potentially have access to medical services, like on-site nurses

Making Your Choice

To use a respite stay to evaluate an assisted living community for your loved one, here are some things to ask them after their visit:

• Did you feel welcomed during your stay?
• Were people friendly and helpful? Did they answer your questions?
• Did you like your apartment, and if you moved there, would you be excited about decorating it? Does it fit your style? Can you picture your stuff in it?
• Are there activities or programs you enjoyed or looked forward to?
• Can you see yourself living here? Do you like the feel of the place? Do you like the people?
• Do you think it would be easy to make friends here? Are there people here you want to get to know better?
• Did you like the food?
• If your family member is a person of faith, does this community feel like a place where they can follow their beliefs?
• Is the staff supportive of residents? Do the residents seem to be enjoying themselves?
• If your loved one has a pet, would their furry friend like living here?

Discover the Benefits of Respite Care at Santa Marta

Caring for a loved one is important and you want to make the best decision for them and you. Respite care could be a good option that allows you to continue to provide the love and support your family member needs. It’s also a good, no obligation way to try out something new. If you’re looking for caregiver support in Olathe and have questions about Santa Marta respite services or our assisted living, use our Virtual Assistant chat feature or contact us here. We’d love to show you around our beautiful community.