Respite Care for your Elderly Loved ones with Dementia

Respite Care for your Elderly Loved ones with Dementia

Providing care for a loved one living with dementia is a rewarding and precious experience. But it is an emotionally draining and physically demanding experience as well.

Respite care is essential for not just providing you with a well-deserved break, but for giving you the required opportunities to recharge, reset and focus on your own wellbeing. This way you can continue to care for your loved one in a sustainable manner.

Professional respite care for your elderly loved ones with dementia gives you the peace of mind knowing the people in the world most precious to you are still receiving uncompromisingly good care without putting undue pressure on yourself.

Understanding Dementia Respite Care

What is respite care?

Dementia respite care refers to the short time periods during which an elderly person living with dementia is taken care of, so that their primary caregivers have time to rest or ensure they are able to conduct other important activities.

Respite care can range in duration from a few hours to several weeks. It can take place in one’s home, in a specialised aged care facility or at a day club for seniors.

With a provider like White Oak, the type, manner and duration of care is tailored to your needs.

Types of Respite Care

There are a variety of different respite services available for people with dementia.

• In home – this service includes carers coming to the person with dementia’s home.
• Companionship – this includes a carer simply acting as a companion during the daily schedule of your loved one, such as simply playing cards.
• Personal care – this can include assistance with daily hygiene, medication distribution and meal preparation.
• Home care – this can include assistance with cleaning, cooking, even laundry.
• Shopping – this form of care is much like companionship for errands, chores or outings.
• Out of home – this can include taking the elderly person to an appointment, social engagement, adult day club or other venue.
• Residential care – this typically refers to overnight respite care in a specialist aged care facility.
• Emergency respite – this service is available for those last minute emergency situations that do not provide either the primary caregiver or the respite care provider much notice.

Why you should consider respite care

Many primary caregivers feel guilty about leaving their loved ones home alone. But life, whether it’s appointments, shopping or even a bit of rest, does not stop.

Respite care allows caregivers to ensure their loved ones are being completely taken care of for as long or as little time as is required. The reality of providing dementia care can lead to everything from stress to exhaustion. Negative impacts to the overall wellbeing of the primary caregiver will unfortunately also negatively impact the wellbeing of the senior person.

That’s why your wellbeing as a primary carer is so important.

Dementia Respite Care with White Oak

White Oak respite caregivers are highly qualified and highly experienced. They are trained to ensure routines and needs are met with minimal disruption and in a positive, dignified way.

In fact, we have specially trained caregivers who are qualified in dementia respite care. This includes familiarity of case-specific communication techniques and experience with dementia-related symptoms.

Our goal is to ensure that our clients, your loved ones, enjoy a change of scenery, social companionship and/or interactions with others to the degree that best suits their needs and preferences.

Seniors living with dementia often require specially designed activities that minimise their anxiety and avoid confusion. At White Oak, we deliver precisely that.

How respite care can help you

1. Flexible care to suit your needs

Our respite care services are flexible because we understand that no two clients are the same. When you speak to our team, we’ll discuss the different options available, such as in-home care or respite at our residential care facilities to find what best suits your needs.

2. Peace of mind

Self-care for caregivers is not a luxury, it’s an essential. Even if it is just for a few hours, being able to reset and recharge knowing full well that your loved one is being properly taken care of is invaluable and will make you a better caregiver as well.

3. Sustainable care

It’s not just about peace of mind either. The lives of primary caregivers don’t stop either. Reliable respite care gives you the chance to run errands, exercise, rest or spend time with other family and friends.

4. Easier care

The University of NSW has released studies and research proving that a change of scenery and social interaction can improve the mood of elderly people. Providing your loved ones with an opportunity to engage in respite care can help to stave off feelings of boredom or isolation and improve their wellbeing allowing for easier care in the future.

Call White Oak today for all things dementia respite care

Respite care is about caring for both the elderly person with dementia and the caregiver. With the right care assistance, both you and your loved one will be better off.

White Oak offers a range of dementia respite care services for seniors. Whether you are ready to arrange for some much needed and well-deserved respite for yourself, or would like to find out what sort of care might be right for your loved one, contact us today.