Providing care for an ageing loved one is no easy feat and many caregivers suffer from burnout. More often than not, people often struggle to balance the demands of being a caregiver, committing to their careers, while also fulfilling their family responsibilities. Over time as stress builds up, they find themselves seeking alternative services, such as respite care.
Short-term nursing care is a good alternative. In this article, we will explore the benefits of respite care at Orange Valley and find out when short-term nursing home care is necessary.
What is Respite Care?
Our nursing home offers temporary short-term care through respite care. With respite care, caregivers are able to take a well-deserved break for a few days or even weeks at a time. This is also available for those with medical needs and requires extra care where family or friends are unable to provide – for instance, post-hospitalisation care.
Despite your best efforts to care for your elderly loved one, stress can take its toll on your mental health over time. It is essential to have occasional breaks to maintain your health and still be able to care for your elderly loved one. Our skilled nursing professionals also provide medical consultation and rehabilitation care after surgery to help patients with the recuperation process. Sending your loved one to senior day care provides you with peace of mind knowing that your loved one will be well taken care of.
When should you send your elderly loved one to respite care?
Respite care provides care tailored to individual needs. At Orange Valley, you can choose between two types of respite care based on your needs: Planned Respite and Emergency Respite. Planned Respite is ideal for situations where you are able to plan in advance when you will be requiring the service. An example would be when the caregiver is planning for a break or post-hospitalisation care. Emergency Respite, on the other hand, is for when you are faced with unforeseen circumstances in which you require assistance urgently. For instance, when the caregiver is ill or needs to attend to a family emergency. The following are some situations that warrant short-term nursing home care:
- Post-hospitalisation Care: Short-term nursing home care is able to provide the elderly assistance in transitioning from the hospital back to their homes. Having a custodial caregiver help with their activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing and dressing, can assist in their recovery.
- Medical Services: For seniors who require skilled care, dressing wounds, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and conducting therapy sessions may be provided. Seniors who have had a stroke, for example, may require short-term physical therapy to regain their balance and coordination.
- A break for caregivers: Short-term nursing care can help elderly patients recover while allowing their family caregivers to take a break. Caring for the elderly is a physically and emotionally draining job, which can lead to caregiver burnout and frustration. Occasionally, a little break is needed for the body and mind to recover.
Caring for an elderly loved one is rewarding yet challenging. Caregivers may face physical and emotional strain over time. This is where short-term nursing care (respite care) is able to help. Caregivers can seek temporary relief from their caregiving duties and avoid burnout.
Orange Valley Nursing Home offers various support options such as long-term and short-term (respite care) care, allowing caregivers time to rest whilst offering comfort and assurance. Reach out to us to find out more about our respite care services here.