We All Deserve a Break

For family caregivers, respite care can be a lifesaver

"Sounds like everything's going great, Mom! We'll see you tomorrow night." _____________________

Family caregivers provide care and assistance for spouses, children, parents and other extended family members who are in need of health care or home support.  According to Health Canada, over two million Canadians are currently providing care for an elderly or disabled loved one. Caregiving brings with it many rewards—the satisfaction of giving back to an aging parent, or loyalty to a spouse who has health challenges, or helping older relatives who are important to us. It is a natural human impulse to care for loved ones in need.

But caregivers experience challenges, as well. They may feel guilt, frustration, a sense of being torn between caregiving and other responsibilities, and exhaustion...all symptoms of "caregiver burnout." These feelings can impact family relationships in many negative ways.

The following are some concerning facts about caregivers from the Canadian Caregiver Coalition:

• Caregivers provide more than 80 percent of care needed by individuals with "long-term conditions," accounting for $5 billion of unpaid labour annually to the health care system.
  
  
• 70% of caregivers between the ages of 45 and 64 are also employed, most of them women.
  
  
• Only 35% of households with caregivers report income over $45,000, many having household incomes below the national average.
  
  
• 33% of caregivers report extra expenses due to their caregiving responsibilities, with the majority spending more than $100 per month on caregiving.
  
  
• Caregivers of persons with chronic conditions spent more than 15.6 million hours per week collectively at their caring work.

Taking care of yourself is an important part of providing care to your loved ones. It is important to be aware of the resources that are available to "lessen the load" of family caregivers, including one resource that is often overlooked: respite care. 

What is Respite Care?

Respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers, allowing them to take time for necessary tasks, or just to take a break. Some respite programs are located in adult day centers, hospitals and nursing homes. However, for many elders, staying in the familiar and comfortable environment of their own home is the first choice, even when family is away. For these seniors, home care is a preferred option.

Home care services can provide a safe, caring environment for your loved ones while you attend to your other responsibilities, or take a much-deserved break to pamper yourself a little bit!

A reputable home care agency will select trained care workers who are just right for your loved one’s situation. While you are away, your home care team can provide:

• A balanced schedule of care that helps you during work or family time
• Caring companionship for your loved one
• Help with the activities of daily living
• Regular reports and ongoing communication with you regarding your loved one’s well-being
• Housekeeping and meal preparation
• Medication supervision
• A wide variety of other supportive services, including outings to appointments.

Families often find that their elderly or disabled loved ones truly enjoy the "change of pace" during this period. As a result, family relationships can improve when caregivers are given a chance to "recharge their batteries" from time to time.

It is important to take an occasional break from our daily responsibilities—including caregiving! Although it may seem impossible at times, taking care of yourself can help you take better care of the person who needs you. Home care can be the best option to allow you to take some much needed time off, free from worry about your loved one’s well-being.

Click here for more information on home health care services and respite care.

Encourage and Support Community–Based Programs

We all need to do our part and help support local initiatives that give to our seniors and caregivers in our communities. As our population ages, the demand for caregivers will increase substantially, and as a result, we should all try and contribute as much as we can.

A great example of a community-based initiative is in Ottawa, Ontario. This initiative, called the Prosperity™ Long-Term Care Fund (www.prosperityfund.ca), is an endowed, donor-advised fund administered by the Community Foundation of Ottawa. The Prosperity Fund's objectives include raising money for not-for-profit long-term care institutions and other not-for-profit service organizations through various community fundraising initiatives, individual donations and other planned giving. 

One of the Prosperity Fund's initiatives is its annual Caregiver Appreciation Award, which recognizes the efforts of volunteer caregivers who devote their time and effort to improve the quality of life of seniors living in our community. Through projects like this, awareness and education on the issues of caregiving is brought to the forefront, with monies raised going directly to those seniors and families who are in need.