RESPITE CARE...IT JUST MAKES COMMON SENSE!

WHAT IS RESPITE CARE, YOU ASK?

RESPITE CARE is that time off, time away or much-needed time out for the caregiver---is not a luxury. It's a necessity for both caregivers and the loved ones in their care. The more you're a caregiver, the more isolated you get and the more your world narrows down. Respite helps because it distracts you from what you're doing every day. It gives you time to take a deep breath and think of other things. Having a day to yourself is like a day at the spa! It's extremely exhausting everyday taking care of a loved one. You need time off, take it!

DISCUSS THE NEED FOR TIME-OFF EARLY ON...
Communicating with your loved one about this is crucial, and many caregivers don't get needed respite care because they feel guilty just bringing up the issue-or they're fearful their loved one will get upset about being left in someone else's care. Also, their loved one will sometime feel as though they become that "burden" they have always heard of "others" talking about. This brings your loved one memories that to them, are sad and hurtful; leading to more depression. Take time out early on to explain that "you both" need time off.

SEND THE RIGHT SIGNALS...
The most important message to send that first day of respite care is that you have confidence in the person that is going to "replace" you for the amount of time you will be away. You need to show excitement, joy, and peace to your loved one so he or she knows you are confident in whose care you're leaving your loved one in. "I'm leaving you in good hands"...

INVOLVE YOUR LOVED ON IN THE PLANS...
Take time for you and your loved one to "interview" the prospective new caregiver. Give time for your loved one to ask questions. Will I be in my own home? Will I be going to a facility? Will I be staying overnight? How will I get help going to the bathroom at night? These are just a few of questions that will be racing though your loved one's mine. Make them feel at ease and spend time with both your love one and the respite worker or facility before the actual time comes to "leave" his or her side. I suggest to ease the pain and fear, take your loved one to the facility or have the respite worker meet with your loved one a few times, not just once. This seems to work wonders for you as well as your loved one. Both of you will greatly benefit from this!

Assisting Seniors In Southwest Florida
Janine Decker, LPCP

Seasonal Seniors Returning to Naples!

BY: Janine M. Decker
Licensed Independent Personal Care Provider
Bonita Springs, Florida
239-821-8884

With our summer season coming to an end, most of our senior population will be coming back to sunny Florida from their summer home up North. Many of them wondering how they are going to get errands done, get to doctor appointments, go shopping, get their hair cut and/or colored and whatever else they might want to do while returning to Naples. Well, I'm here to tell you, if your that senior looking for personal services, I can help you! I'm a Licensed Independent Personal Care Provider at your Service! If you can use a little helping hand in the months to come, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm a full-service non-medical provider. I will accommodate all your daily needs with one phone call. Please visit my web site http://assistingseniorsinflorida.blogspot.com for all the services I'm providing our seniors here in sunny Bonita Springs and Naples, Florida. If I can be assistance to any of you and your loved ones, please feel free to contact me for free in-home consultation.

Have a Happy Return to Naples, Florida
Janine M. Decker
Independent Personal Care Provider
239-821-8884