Respite Care Options in Ontario

A caregiver’s work is never done. Daily, you make sure Mom has nutritious food to eat and her medicines to take on time. You drive Dad to his appointments and pick up some groceries for him. You’re there when the contractor comes to fix your parent’s leaking roof. You are their first call when it’s time to pack away summer clothing and get the jackets and sweaters aired out for the winter. The to-do list never seems to end, making you wonder if you will ever get a moment to yourself.

You should never feel guilty taking some time away from your responsibilities as your aging loved one’s caregiver. The burnout you feel is real, and it takes a toll on your physical and emotional health if you do not do anything about it. Understanding the importance of taking care of yourself is one thing. Finding ways to accomplish it is an entirely different one.

When family and friends cannot chip in to help, you still have options to get the reprieve you need to be the best caregiver possible. It starts with some research and includes choosing qualified professional respite help.

3 Types of Respite Care to Make Caregiver Duties Easier

Respite care ensures you can have some time to recharge your batteries. You can use this opportunity to take a nap, spend time with friends, go to your grandchild’s recital, enjoy a hobby, or exercise. Additionally, you can take vacations and need not worry about how your senior is doing.

Ontario offers different types of respite care depending on you and your senior’s needs. They include home care for seniors, short stays in long-term care facilities, and adult day programs. Each provides different support, but they all have one thing in common – giving you a break you deserve and ensuring that senior care continues efficiently, safely, and in the comfort of your loved one’s home. Here is a breakdown of each type of respite care:

1. Home Respite Care: This option is fantastic for your loved one. Mom and Dad can remain at their home while you are away. Based on your situation, a professional home health aide comes in and provides support in a variety of forms, such as:
1. Personal Care – oral care, dressing, and administering medications
2. Light Homemaking – laundry, preparing meals, light housework
3. Professional Services – nursing or physiotherapy
2. Short Stay in a Long-Term Facility: If your senior needs round-the-clock care while you are on vacation, in the hospital, or experiencing your own health issue, this option may be the right one. Your senior would remain in a long-term facility for a period of up to 60 days. Mom receives continual care, assistance with her daily living, and regular monitoring.
3. Adult Day Programs: You can use this option for times when you need your days freed up. Dad can join other seniors in groups that provide social, recreational, intellectual, therapeutic, and physical activities.

Pick Home Instead for Your Respite Care Needs

Make your health a priority while still ensuring your mom or dad gets the care they need. The team at Home Instead Kitchener-Waterloo, ON understands that you sometimes need “me” time. We can help out with many different home care services, so you do not have to worry. Need a companion for Mom during your weekly book club? Maybe you are ready for a long weekend away with your spouse. In either case, we step in while you step out. Your senior gets to engage with others while you get to disengage and recharge. Contact us today, and let’s work together to find the right fit for your lifestyle.

Call us at (519) 571-1665 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in Kitchener-Waterloo, Breslau, Conestogo, Elmira, St Jacobs, and surrounding areas