Primary caregivers of the family work hard to look after their loved ones and provide them with the best care possible. If you’re a family caregiver, then you know what a balancing act caring for a loved one can be. When caring for your family, self, and loved one becomes overwhelming and you find yourself continuously exhausted, it might be time to consider respite care.
Respite care provides short-term relief for a primary caregiver. It can be provided for a day, several days, or even weeks. Respite care can be provided at home, in a healthcare facility, or at an adult center. Whether you’re considering getting respite care or want to learn more about how it works – we’ll go over everything you need to know about recognizing the signs of needing respite care. These are 8 signs that it’s time to consider respite care.
1. You make more mistakes
Making mistakes is normal and it happens to the best of us, but if you find yourself making more mistakes and feel overwhelmed, it might be time to start thinking about respite care. If you’ve noticed you’re making significantly more mistakes than ever before and feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, you could be heading for caregiver burnout.
2. You lose your temper often
When you’re under too much stress and feel overwhelmed, it’ll be much more difficult to keep your temper and emotions in check. Maybe you snapped at a family member or lost your temper with your loved one. This is often one of the biggest signs that you’re experiencing caregiver burnout and need a break. If you’re not as patient as you used to be, it could be time for respite care.
3. Your sleep is irregular
Caregivers who are dealing with burnout typically experience trouble sleeping. If your sleep schedule is irregular, it’s important to acknowledge the cause of the disruption in your routine. If your caregiving duties are causing you anxiety or loss of sleep, this can affect other aspects of your life including your mental health, well-being, relationships, and more.
4. You feel overwhelmed often
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or under pressure every once in a while, especially when trying to balance your family’s health as well as your own. When you start to feel constantly overwhelmed and see no end in sight, it’s time for a change. Feeling this way can cause anxiety which can deeply affect your mental and physical health. You can’t provide care for someone when you’re drained and overwhelmed, so don’t forge to prioritize your health.
5. Your relationships are suffering
Your relationships with your friends, family, and loved ones outside of caregiving are vital to keeping you healthy, balanced, and independent. It’s vital that you have a life outside of caregiving, and that you have a support system that gives you a mental break ever so often. If caregiving is preventing you from spending quality time with friends or is causing you to lash out at those closest to you, respite care can be the solution you need to find balance again.
7. You have more bad days than good
Difficult days come with the territory of being a primary caregiver – they’re completely normal and to be expected, but if you’ve gotten to a point where you have more bad days than good, something has to change. You want the time spent with your loved one to not be tainted by difficult days or stress, as you have limited time left with them. Considering respite care could help you experience more frequent good days and ease the pressure of being the primary caregiver of your household.
8. You’re desperate for a break
If you simply feel like you need a break, that’s more than enough reason to take one. Being a primary caregiver is difficult, especially if you’re living in the sandwich generation and are caring for both your family and an aging loved one. When you feel you could use a break to recharge and find your balance again, don’t hesitate to take one!