If you’re caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you’re not alone. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that over 11 million people provide unpaid care for people with these conditions.1 Being the primary caregiver can lead to burnout. This is why many turn to respite care. This allows caregivers to get the break they deserve while their loved ones still receive the necessary personal care. This can be in the form of a memory care day stay or extended care stay. As we look into the benefits of this unique program, we’ll also share some tips on choosing the proper memory care respite and what Encore Communities offers.
Benefits of Respite Care
Both caregivers and patients can benefit from the temporary care that memory care respite provides. Relying on professional staff who know how to deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients will put your loved one in good hands.2
Benefits for Primary Caregivers
- Primary caregivers who take advantage of this program can relax or spend time with family and friends. Caregivers typically ignore their own self-care as they always focus on their loved ones. But they need just as much of a break as anyone else.
- Respite care can also give caregivers time to do simple tasks like shopping or going to the doctor for themselves.
- Caregivers can spend time away without worrying that their loved one is in danger. Caregivers often worry about leaving their loved ones alone or with others. Memory care respite puts them in the hands of capable and trained professionals.
Benefits for Patients
- Some caregivers may feel guilty about leaving their loved ones for a short time, but patients can also benefit from memory respite care because they can interact with others who are going through the same thing. Meeting new people can help them not feel as alone.
- Patients can participate in activities that are designed specifically for them.
- They can spend time in a safe environment while having their needs met.
As you consider the benefits of memory respite care, you will see that it can provide a much-needed break for everyone.
How to Choose Memory Care Respite and a Memory Care Day Stay
Memory respite care can be offered through adult day centers, in-home services, and short and long-term communities. Finding the right fit is crucial to your peace of mind and to make your loved one feel safe and secure. Here are some tips to help you find the best care:
- Check the hours if your loved one is not staying overnight.
- Look at the staff-to-resident ratio to make sure it is adequate.
- Ask about the activities offered and meal preparation.
- Look into the availability of emergency on-site medical care.
- Ask about daily/overnight rates and what they include.
- Be sure the center is licensed and accredited.
- Ask for references.
Taking a tour of the facility with your loved one is a good idea to get a feel for the facility. Have a list of questions ready so you can be sure that the care you choose is the right fit for your loved one. Encourage them to ask questions as well, especially if they are apprehensive. The goal is to make everyone as comfortable as possible with the respite care you choose.
If you’re going on a trip and planning on using respite care for the first time, you may want to do a trial run to see how your loved one adapts and how comfortable you are with the care. This way, you’ll still be around in case any issues arise. After seeing the level of care offered, you can hopefully ease any fears or guilt about using memory respite care. It is a valuable service that provides ample benefits for caregivers and patients.
Memory Care Respite from Encore Communities
At Encore Communities, we provide the memory care respite and memory care day stay services that caregivers need. We work with families to help them with their caregiver responsibilities for days, weeks, or months. Our team is experienced in handling patients with memory care issues and can help with tasks like bathing, dressing, administering medications, and more. We also provide a variety of socialization opportunities and activities for patients.
Encore Communities is a home away from home, providing a comfortable and safe environment. Memory respite care is available at our Laurel Cove Community, Regent Court, and The Ridge communities. We aim to give residents as much independence as possible while still receiving the care they need. We offer day stays as well as extended care. Call us today to schedule a tour and learn about our memory respite care services.
Sources:
[1] https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
[2] https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/respite-care
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.