3 Benefits of Respite Care at Senior Living Communities

3 Benefits of Respite Care at Senior Living Communities

By Team Writer | July 11, 2024

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Respite care in a senior living community offers families and seniors all the benefits of full-time care over a short term, which can be great for seniors as well as caregivers. Respite care is a great solution for caregivers who need a break or have a work or family emergency, and for seniors it also offers the chance to live a little and experience spending time with new friends while enjoying all the amenities. For seniors who are considering a move to senior living, respite care also provides the opportunity to try out a community to see if it’s a good fit for the future. 

#1: Avoid caregiver burnout

Caregiving has become an avocation for millions of Americans who want to do everything they can to ensure the health, safety and happiness of a senior loved one. But it can also be a very demanding and stressful job that over time can become too much to manage with other work and family responsibilities. The result is often caregiver burnout.

According to the clevelandclinic.org article, “Caregiver Burnout,” the signs of caregiver burnout include physical and emotional exhaustion, withdrawal from family and friends, inability to concentrate, irritability, frustration, or anger, problems sleeping, and changes in weight or appetite. In short, caregiver burnout is a state of exhaustion that can impact the health and well-being of a caregiver and their family.

For caregivers, respite care offers the chance to take a well-earned break for a vacation, to catch up with family duties, or to concentrate on work. Since respite care provides all the care a senior needs in a structured and engaging environment, caregivers have more time to take care of themselves without worrying about their loved one. 

#2: A vacation for seniors

While the “respite” in respite care generally refers to providing a break for caregivers, respite care can also be a vacation for a senior too. Most seniors appreciate all their families do for them but may also feel the stress of knowing the burden of their care falls on someone they love. In respite care however, the guilt vanishes and seniors become part of a warm and welcoming community, receive excellent care, can participate in a variety of amenities like games, classes, and local entertainment, and enjoy the company of new friends.  

At Presbyterian Homes of Kentucky, the emphasis is on community and everyone enjoys a sense of belonging that makes life fun, fulfilling and purposeful. Our staff go the extra mile to get to know each resident and their needs and to appreciate each as a unique and special member of our family. 

Another benefit of our respite care at Presbyterian Homes of Kentucky is the availability of “personal care.” As described in our blog, “What’s the Difference Between Personal Care and Assisted Living?,” personal care offers a level of medical care not commonly found in assisted living in addition to typical care like assistance with dressing, bathing and feeding. When a senor has medical needs like help with medication management, medical testing or nursing care, personal care is the perfect solution. 

#3: Senior living tryout

Another excellent benefit of respite care is that offers the perfect opportunity for trying out a senior living community for the future, without the long-term commitment. While many families do their best to care for their loved one, many seniors who try respite care quickly realize a senior living community is a really great place to live and may change their mind about aging-in-place at home alone. 

For seniors with medical issues this may be especially beneficial for them as well as their families who struggle to care for them. Not only are all their medical concerns managed with compassion and empathy by skilled staff in personal care, but they also have all the added benefits of socialization, engaging activities, healthy nourishing meals, and the chance to pursue interests and hobbies. As noted in our blog, “A Day in the Life of a Personal Care Senior Living Community Resident,” personal care residents and their families can rest easy knowing that their every needs are priorities and each day offers new and fun ways to simply enjoy life. 

It also important to note that communities like Presbyterian Homes of Kentucky offer a “continuum of care” which means that when a higher level of care is needed, residents can receive it without having to leave their home and friends behind.

No matter the reason for choosing respite care, at Presbyterian Homes of Kentucky the benefits will make it worthwhile. To learn more contact us and schedule a tour.