Create a Respite Care Plan to Give Yourself a Caregiving Break

ou're a caregiver, and you're doing your best. But it's hard to always do your best when you don't have the time or energy to take care of yourself.

Luckily, we know how to help. Below is a step-by-step guide to creating a respite care plan that will give you the break you need while still giving your loved one the support they deserve.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is a short-term break from caregiving. It may last overnight, or it may last for several days. You can also find respite in the form of help with errands, housework, and other tasks around the house. Or it may be a caregiver who comes to your home to assist you with daily activities like dressing or bathing.

Respite care differs from a break because it’s not just a change of scenery. It’s also an opportunity to hire someone else to take over some of your duties so you don’t have to be solely responsible for everything that needs attention.

Hiring someone else does not mean that you give up control. Rather, it allows you time away from work so that you can regain energy and strength when needed most. Then you can return more focused on what matters most: providing quality care for your loved one.

How to Find Respite Care.

You may be wondering how to start creating your own plan for respite care.

Here are some tips on where to find respite care:

1. Ask others if they would be willing to help out with your loved one's care during an upcoming time when you'll need a break (and make sure they understand how important it is that they follow through).
2. Check out local senior centers, assisted living facilities, and adult day care centers in your community. Many offer respite services for caregivers who want a break from their regular responsibilities but don't want to put their loved ones in an unfamiliar environment.
3. If there aren't any nearby options that seem like they'd be right for your situation, see if there are any organizations or companies in the area that offer similar services. For example, if there aren't any local senior centers in your area, look into whether there's one near enough by that might be willing to come over once or twice per week while you're at work or on vacation.
4. If none of these options work out for you, there are also online resources available that make finding caregivers easier than ever before!

Here are online resources for finding respite care near you:

• ARCH National Respite Network
• Eldercare Locator
• National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)

Having a respite care plan in place is one of the best ways to prevent caregiver burnout.

If you want to stay healthy through your caregiving journey, it’s important to take care of yourself. The best way to do this is by making sure that you have a plan for respite care in place and asking for help when it’s needed.

Learn the importance of self-care as a caregiving and how to practice it to avoid burnout:

• A Self-Care Checklist for Caregivers
• Taking Care of YOU: The Importance of Self-Care as a Caregiver
• Self-Care Tips to Prevent Caregiver Burnout‍
• Caring for Caregivers Class Series‍
• Watch: Dementia: Conquering the Challenges of Caregiving‍