Respite Care for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Respite Care For A Loved One With Alzheimers

Photo by Kevin Bidwell:

Family members are often reluctant to put a beloved parent into an assisted care facility, even when the person has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Sometimes, the care of a parent falls to an only child or is not shared by siblings for various reasons – distance, large families, small children, or a view that the parent should be relegated to full-time care.

For the caretaker, this can be heartbreaking as the person takes on a heavy burden to enable the parent at home. However, caregivers also need a bit of respite every once in a while, and if the remaining siblings are unwilling to take a turn, this could mean respite care for the elderly parent.

In-Home Care

Full-time care at home is an expensive option and very few families can afford trained, qualified nursing care 24/7, or even for the daytime. This may be at the parent’s or caregiver’s home.If your loved one is still relatively healthy and the Alzheimer’s has not yet progressed to later stages, you can look at getting a helper for housework and meal preparation at their home. But, as the disease develops and cognitive impairment increases, you will have to look for qualified care when you are unable to provide it.

Day Care forthe Elderly Alzheimer’s Person

Some organizations cater to the specific needs of Alzheimer’s parents and their carers by offering a daycare facility with qualified staff. Medical insurance may cover some of the cost. Generally, they are only open during office hours and don’t provide weekend services. If you are working full-time, daycare for your parent could be the best option.

However, you will probably take over the care every night and over the weekend. After months of this, exhaustion will kick in, you may become stressed and impatient, and your job might be compromised. It is essential that you take some time off from caring for your parent every month. This is where short-term respite care can play a vital role in your well-being.

Short-Term Respite Stays in Senior Living Facilities

Most senior living organizations provide elderly Alzheimer’s victims with short-term respite stays. They cater for nursing home conditions, memory care, and assisted living. Assisted living helps with the activities of daily living but does not provide round-the-clock care. This is a good option if your parent does not wander off as assisted living does not prevent residents at this stage from moving around freely. Your parent will be able to interact with other residents.

Memory care involves a higher level of supervision, and the residents stay in locked-in units. This ensures that these residents cannot get lost or hurt themselves inadvertently. Nursing home units provide a 24/7 service. Brandy Care offers assisted living Princeton New Jersey, whether your parent requires full-time or respite care. Residents can move to more intensive levels of care as their Alzheimer’s worsens.

As a carer, you need to take care of your health too. Respite care may provide the answer to getting some time to yourself without having to place your parent in permanent care.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *