Vacations for Family Caregivers: Are They Even Possible?

Perhaps you’ve been listening longingly to friends and family talking about their next cruise, camping trip, or week at the beach. Summertime is the perfect time for a getaway, but you can’t possibly get away this year while caring for an older loved one. Or can you?

Actually, not only are vacations for family caregivers possible, but they’re important for both your own wellbeing and that of the person in your care. Neglecting self-care can set you on the trajectory to burnout and depression, and can impact the quality of care you’re able to provide. The process is smoother and easier than you may realize:

Talk with the senior. Let the person know that you’re planning a little time away so there are no last-minute surprises. If the senior is in the mid- to later stages of dementia, however, you may need to have the conversation multiple times before your departure.
Begin care services prior to your vacation. Bringing in a respite caregiver now allows the senior to feel comfortable with the person before you leave. A professional home care agency, like Amy’s Helping Hands, will carefully match each senior with a caregiver who will be most compatible, easing the transition to care.
Let go of guilt! Once you have trusted respite care in place, you can rest assured that your loved one will be well cared for and will benefit from the additional socialization a caregiver provides. Your role as family caregiver isn’t easy, and you need and deserve time away to rest and recharge.

Call Amy’s Helping Hands, the leading provider of Windsor, Ontario home care services and care throughout the surrounding areas, for a free in-home consultation to learn more about our respite services, and then start making plans for the vacation of a lifetime!

Together, we’ll develop a customized plan of care to ensure a smooth and seamless transition and providing necessary in-home care services such as:

Help with the senior’s morning wake-up routine, including safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
Planning and preparing nutritious, appetizing meals, according to any preferences and prescribed dietary needs
Friendly companionship to brighten each day through games, puzzles, conversations, hobbies and interests, exercise, walks, and more
Transportation and accompaniment to medical appointments and fun outings as desired
Specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
Skilled nursing care
And much more

Reach out to us any time at 519.915.4370 with any questions or to get started with personalized in-home respite care services for someone you love.

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