Respite Care in Media, Pennsylvania

Looking for Respite Care?

Being a caregiver for a loved one is an incredible role that’s filled with love and selflessness, but it can also be very taxing over time. Respite care offers caregivers a much-needed break while also ensuring loved ones are in a community where they’re safe and well cared for. Learn more about what respite care is and how it can be helpful for both the caregiver and the person receiving the care.

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What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is when someone else takes over the caregiving duties for a while so the regular caregiver can take some time to rest and recharge. Respite care is a type of short-term care that, depending on your needs, can take place in the loved one’s home or in a senior living community.

During respite care, your loved one continues to get the same high level of care you’d provide, but it gives you, the caregiver, a chance to attend to your own needs, decompress, take a vacation or just spend a night out with friends. Respite care can be a few hours where a substitute caregiver drops in to provide a short break, or it can involve the person needing care temporarily moving into the community if they need around-the-clock care.

At Riddle Village, respite care is also beneficial after hospitalization or rehabilitation. Some find a short respite can help prepare an individual for their eventual return to home while providing security and care one may need after a hospital or rehab stay.

Spacious bedroom at riddle village respite care apartments

What Are the Benefits of Respite Care?

While it can be a little scary to hand off the care of someone you love to another party, there are benefits to respite care for both the caregiver and the loved one.

Respite Care Benefits »

Respite care offers many benefits for the person receiving the care. Being exposed to new people can help expand their social world and provide a mental boost. It’s also common for loved ones to feel they’re a burden to the caregiver, and respite care can help them feel like they’re not placing all the responsibility on one person’s shoulders.

For the caregiver respite care benefits include:

A chance to decompress. It can be difficult to be the sole person responsible for someone else’s care — especially if your loved one needs a high level of care or can’t be left alone for their safety. Respite care can give you the space and time you need to breathe and lower your stress levels while not having to worry about what’s going on with your family member.
Reconnecting with hobbies and community. It’s normal to be focused on the health and well-being of your loved one, but just as they tell parents on planes to put on their own oxygen mask before they try to help their children, it’s important to protect your own health or you won’t be as effective caring for your loved one. Respite care gives you the chance to catch up with friends over coffee, go to a book club or enjoy a movie on your own. Spending some time recharging alone or with your community can help you be refreshed and ready to return to caregiving in a better place mentally and emotionally.
Better physical health. When so much of your time and energy is put into caring for someone else, it’s easy to let your own health slip under the radar. If you haven’t been eating quality foods or sleeping enough, respite care can give you the chance to bring the focus back to your own health and ensure you’re physically able to return to caregiving.

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Questions to Ask

Respite care can be a great option for many caregiving situations, but it’s important to understand exactly what it involves and what to expect. Here are some questions to ask:

Do you have a minimum or maximum time for respite care?
What’s your policy on administering medications?
Do you have experience with those who have memory issues?
What’s your policy if there is an emergency?
What qualifications and/or certifications do the members of your staff have?
Do you have reviews or ratings we can look at from others who’ve used your respite care services?

If you’re going to be using short-term respite care in a community, it’s also a good idea to schedule a tour to personally check out the building and see for yourself what the rooms look like and if the residents seem happy and well cared for.

If you’re ready to talk more about the respite care offerings at Riddle Village and how our providers can help in your specific situation, contact us today.

Riddle Village sits on the land of Samuel D. Riddle, a sportsman and breeder of competitive racehorses. His horses have been named “Horse of the Century” and also are famous for being a Triple Crown Winner in 1937!

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It has taken a lot of the stress off my family members because they don’t have to worry. It means security. I’ve experienced Independent Living and Monticello, and I’ve made friends in both!

Helen, Riddle Village Resident

The population of our elders are living longer, and families are not always able to care for their loved ones on their own. One of the benefits of having Personal Care at Riddle Village is the 24-hour supervised setting that gives a structured environment. We provide emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and social support. To sum it all up: we offer a loving, safe environment allowing our residents to live life to the fullest while providing assistance needed to maintain their dignity.

Cynthia McMillian, Nursing Supervisor