Caring for a loved one as they enter the golden years can be rewarding and fulfilling. But it also requires focus, commitment, and being able to assist every day. Respite care provides a solution for seniors and their caregivers to take a break from their regular routine.
An assisted living community is a great place to find reliable, welcoming professional care for seniors, even if it’s only for a short period. Let’s explore what respite care is and why it’s a popular choice for so many families. If you would like to experience our respite care program first hand, please schedule a tour of our community at Bentley Commons Assisted Living at Bedford.
Understanding Respite Care
Respite care describes any type of assisted living designed to be temporary. Many seniors do not require a caregiver all the time. They may have a family member available when they need it, and sometimes seniors only need assistance during a specific recovery stage.
Most residents in respite care units have a special person in their life who assumes primary care responsibilities most of the time. Respite care offers a safe, comfortable environment for individuals to get the assistance they need when their primary caregiver is away.
In-Home Respite Care
Many seniors experience assisted living in their own homes. When a primary caregiver needs time away from this responsibility, a replacement caregiver can assume duties in the home. In-home respite care can involve full-time overnight service or temporary helpers there for a few hours each day.
Out-of-Home Respite Care
Assisted living communities are a common example of out-of-home respite care. These environments have the resources, staff, and programming to make it very easy for a senior to integrate into alternative assisted living.
All American respite care units offer 24/7 support for new members while they stay. Out-of-home respite care provides a comfortable peer community while a primary caregiver is unavailable.
Reasons to Seek Respite Care
Respite care is designed to be a temporary home, but the duration of your stay can be very flexible. Residents in respite care may stay anywhere from a few nights to several months. It all depends on the reason for your visit.
Perhaps a caregiver is out of town, or maybe you require trained professionals during a difficult recovery period. Know that respite care provides the assistance you need for health issues and offers an engaging lifestyle full of amenities.
Your Primary Caregiver Needs Relief
A common reason that people seek respite care is to receive the same level of comfort and attention when their primary caregiver is away. There are over 40 million unpaid caregivers in America. Most of them are helping loved ones in their life. Like everybody else, caregivers also need relief from their week-to-week demands.
Caregiver burnout is a real thing. This occurs when primary caregivers are exhausted, stressed, and fatigued from all the effort it takes to assist someone daily. Periodic breaks between a senior and their caregiver are healthy for both. Respite care is the solution that lets a caregiver recharge while being confident their loved one is safe.
Support During Recovery and Rehabilitation
Some seniors are more independent than others and require very few methods of assistance in their lives. But an unexpected injury or managing an illness can require a bit more daily help. Some health conditions require specific professional training, such as memory care.
Assisted living communities are specially designed to help manage recovery periods for seniors. Whether it’s with the support of nurses or guided involvement in daily activities, respite care helps seniors recover peacefully and comfortably. Our Bedford community is built for residents with mobility issues and many types of recoveries can be accommodated stress-free.
Experience Community Living
The transition into assisted living is not always easy, but sometimes necessary. Respite care living is the perfect way to experience assisted living without the long-term commitment that can be intimidating.
Respite care residents can integrate slowly into full-time assisted living. This helps prevent seniors from being overwhelmed and allows them to build relationships and routines at a comfortable pace. It also builds familiarity with daily activities that help make our community happy and healthy.
What to Expect in Respite Care
Daily life in respite care is very similar to that of a long-term resident. When you give our community a try, you’ll have all the access and support that we offer. Whether you are staying for a week or a year, we welcome you to our family and provide peace of mind for residents and their regular caregivers.
Community members living in respite care can expect the following amenities and support during their stay:
- Companionship & personal attention
- Medical care & safety, available 24/7
- Meal preparation & social meal sessions
- Necessary transportation provided
- Assistance with Activities of Daily Living & household tasks
Here When You Need Us
Bentley Commons Assisted Living in Bedford is a home for seniors whenever they require it. Our respite care units provide a temporary assisted living community for family members who need a helping hand for some time. Respite care is a solution for people who are recovering from injuries, must temporarily relocate, or want to provide their regular caregiver some reprieve.
Schedule a tour of our respite care community in Londonderry if you are considering some temporary lifestyle assistance. Our staff and residents are ready to welcome you, no matter how long you plan to stay. Because we all need a helping hand every once and a while.
