Seniors are some of the most emotionally resilient people out there, but this comes with a price. As people age, they lose physical strength.
Experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine confirm that those over 65 are more prone to injury than young people. Something as simple as a fall can cause serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
Respite care can help those who suffer from injuries get back on their feet
Here, we’re going to talk about:
- What respite care is
- Caregiver respite care advantages
- Benefits for healing seniors
Read on to learn the ins and outs of respite care in Michigan City.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is a type of short-term senior care.
Unlike assisted living or memory care, seniors don’t live in an elder community for the rest of their lives. They only stay in respite care in Michigan City for a few weeks or months.
Sometimes, respite care is a solution for caregivers who need to recuperate.
The senior will stay in the community for a while while their familial caregivers get a much-needed break. They then eventually go home and continue to receive care from loved ones.
In most instances, though, seniors in respite care communities have sustained a short-term disability. They only need care for a limited time before returning to independent living.
Many residents in recovery and respite care are healing from:
- Illness
- Injuries from accidents
- Surgery
- Other medical procedures
Sometimes, a resident comes to a respite care community because a familial caregiver is unable to help them for a short period.
Senior recovery programs come in a variety of forms, including:
- Daytime care services while familial caregivers cannot be with their loved ones
- Residential care services, where your aging loved one stays in an assisted living community for a short duration
- In-home care services, where a professional caregiver comes to a senior’s home and takes care of them during the daytime
Residential care services are the best of these options for a variety of reasons, including:
- 24/7 access to caregiver assistance
- Constant support during rehabilitation
- Amenities made to accommodate recovering seniors
- On-site physical therapy plans for rehabilitation
How Can Respite Care Services Benefit Caregivers?
A primary purpose of respite care is to provide short-term relief for familial caregivers. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Caregiving is a demanding round-the-clock job.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, caregivers are often left with several burnout symptoms:
- A lack of privacy and alone time
- No time to rest and recover
- Physical fatigue from moving a loved one around
- Feelings of being out of control and lacking autonomy
- Depression and hopelessness
- Anxiety about the senior’s situation
- Sleep problems or sleep disorders
- Withdrawal from other people
- Decreased self-image and self-esteem
Avoiding these symptoms is important for a caregiver’s mental health. It’s also important so caregivers can provide the best possible assistance when they are with their loved one.
Caregivers can use this temporary relief to:
- Catch up on sleep
- Focus on their jobs
- Keep up with mental and physical health
- See other friends and family members
- Recharge from the tolls of caregiving
- Go on vacation
Senior Recovery Programs
In other instances, would-be caregivers might not be used to providing care. Many seniors in respite care are otherwise healthy. They simply need help while recovering from a medical procedure or injury.
Respite care services are equipped with resources to provide support to those who need short-term help. Communities have expert knowledge on how to provide compassionate care.
They’ll get your loved one back on their feet in no time.
This can provide family members with peace of mind during the recovery term. You and other loved ones won’t need to learn the ins and outs of caregiving and apply them for just a short time. Someone else who knows the ropes will apply their knowledge for you.
How Do Senior Recovery Programs Help With Healing?
Elder care in Michigan City doesn’t just benefit caregivers and would-be caregivers. It provides recovering seniors with the resources they need to thrive.
Personalized care plans are one of the greatest respite care advantages. Community care experts:
- Sit down with new residents and their families
- Discuss the senior’s individual needs
- Talk about the injury or illness they’re recovering from
- Create a comprehensive care plan to help them specifically
These plans are 100% able to change as the senior’s needs shift.
Expert Resources
Professional caregivers in respite care communities have the tools and knowledge needed for compassionate care.
Their experience makes them able to apply the knowledge needed for quick and easy assistance. Communities also have the tools needed to help seniors move around and get into bed.
But that’s not all. Respite care communities also maintain the goal of helping seniors heal. They provide treatment plans to help them get back on their feet.
These plans may include:
- Scheduled exercises to build mobility
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Motivation for exercise
- Supervision while healing
- Cognitive exercises to build brain function
- Mobility aids and devices needed in the short-term
The road to recovery is far smoother than it would be at home.
Accessible Amenities
Seniors needing short-term care may not have accessibility features built into their homes. The house might be challenging to get around without thousands of dollars worth of renovations.
Remodeling isn’t worth the money for a few weeks, and it may even take longer than the recovery period to complete the job.
Luckily, respite care communities come with accessible amenities like:
- Wheelchair-accessible large doorways
- Wide hallways for easy movement
- Large, open floor plans for heightened mobility
- Grab bars to prevent falls
- Grip bars and no-slip mats for shower safety
- Low countertops and tables for wheelchair access
Unlock the Benefits of Respite Care in Michigan City
Now that you know the ins and outs of respite care in Michigan City, it’s time to tour the best Indiana senior community. Our team is excited to provide the best compassionate care in the area so your loved one can get back on their feet ASAP.
Reach out to Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City to learn about our amenities, pricing plans, and individualized care!
