If you’re taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s you should know about respite care. Taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s is physically and emotionally difficult. It can be particularly difficult if you are trying to manage taking care of your children, working, and taking care of your senior parent. But you should know you’re not alone.
Studies indicate that more than 50% of adults have a senior parent over the age of 65. And for adults today trying to raise a family and take care of a senior parent is a common situation. Respite care can give a break from caring for a senior parent.
Alzheimer’s care is a specific type of respite care that is available to family caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s care is specialized care specifically for seniors with dementia. You can get respite care for your senior parent so that you can do things like:
- Take a few days of vacation.
- Go to a child’s sports game or a school function.
- Take your child on a field trip.
- Take a day off just for yourself.
- Go shopping.
- Get your hair cut, get your nails done, and do other self-maintenance things that get overlooked.
- Go to your own medical appointments.
- Or just take an afternoon to go to a movie.
Respite care is a chance for you to take a breather and step back so that you can process your own emotions about your parent’s illness.
The Benefits of Respite Care
Alzheimer’s care has benefits for you and for your senior parent. The biggest benefit for caregivers is not having to worry about their senior parent. You can take the time you need for yourself without looking at the phone every minute waiting to get an emergency call. Your senior parent will be happy and well cared for.
Respite care can benefit your senior parent too. Seniors with Alzheimer’s tend to be socially isolated because it’s difficult for them to make friends and maintain relationships. When you regularly have Alzheimer’s care for your senior parent it fills that social gap. Your senior parent will get to spend time with someone else. They will benefit from new conversations and activities with a different caregiver.
Alzheimer’s care can also help your senior parent with things that are difficult for you. If you’re struggling to get your senior parent to eat enough, or to drink water, a new approach might help. A caregiver trained to work with people who have Alzheimer’s has a toolbox of communication techniques that you don’t have. They can try more effective ways to make sure that your senior loved one is eating and drinking.
Caregiving is a marathon, not a spring. Respite care will give family caregivers the breaks they need to be able to come back and care for their senior parent as long as their parent needs them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Brookfield, WI please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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