Providing care for an aging or disabled loved one is hard work. It’s also a labor of love, but it’s still labor and even the best caregivers get tired and reach their limit.
You can’t provide good care if you don’t take care of yourself. That isn’t good for you. And it isn’t good for the person you are caring for.
Find some help.
CHP offers help for caregivers who need a break. Whether you’re dealing with chronic conditions (like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and medically fragile adults with and without
intellectual/developmental disabilities) or your family member has a terminal illness and is on hospice; CHP can help.
Adult Day Care
CHP’s Adult Day Centers in Archbold, Celina, and Van Wert offer a safe, caring, medically-monitored day program on weekday hours for seniors, and medically fragile or socially-isolated adults, age 18 and older. The caring staff delivers dignified assistance and support with personal care needs while you get a break to rejuvenate.
Adult day care offers a daily schedule of activities for socializing, developing friendships, and encouraging mental stimulation. Arts and crafts, cards, games, and more are available each day. Plus, a meal and snacks are offered.
Licensed nurses are available to manage medications and therapy services may be arranged.
The cost ranges between $58-$75 per day with transportation available for $20 round trip and $15 one way. (Transportation may be covered by Passport)
Hospice Respite Care
For those caring for hospice patients, CHP’s Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center offers respite care – a short-term relief for in-home hospice caregivers.
Medicare benefits pay for patient transport and up to five consecutive days of inpatient care at a Medicare-approved nursing facility or hospital. You can get respite care more than once, but only on an occasional basis.
Hospice respite care enables the caregiver to rest and recover from the demands of daily in-home care. Respite care is also appropriate when a patient’s medical condition warrants a short-term inpatient stay for pain or other symptoms that cannot be managed at home.
Medicare guidelines allow for more than one respite occurrence, with each period lasting no more than five days in a row. The five days of respite include the day of admission, but not the day of discharge.
Benefits for Caregivers
Family members who take time to rest and recover are better caregivers. They suffer less burnout and have more energy to devote to loved ones.
Restoration comes from knowing your source of joy so you can share that comfort with others. Sometimes it’s giving yourself permission to rediscover a hobby or try a new one. Reconnecting with friends can recharge your soul.
- Preventing caregiver burnout
- National Hospice and Palliative Care podcast about respite care
Life puts us in challenging situations. Often it’s not where we want to be. Sometimes it seems we don’t have a choice. Maybe you can’t quit, maybe there is no one to take your place, no one else to do the caregiving.
If that is the case and you aren’t able to leave, you can change. Change what and how you are doing, set limits, and take time for yourself. Begin taking care of yourself while you are caring for another.
Learn how to take care of yourself and get your needs met so you may discover more joy, peace of mind, and fulfillment in being a caregiver.
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