No one can work non-stop without a break. No one should.
Those of us with full time jobs can relate to the relief of a day off. The freedom of choosing what we will do with our time, and the ability to come and go as we please is as fundamental to our wellbeing as the very air we breathe. Honestly, it is contentment and joy.
When we are consumed by the responsibility of taking care of someone else, it can be virtually impossible to come and go as one pleases. It becomes more difficult to find opportunities for rest, to avail oneself of chances to go out, and for some, to continue working their jobs without costly arrangements being made for coverage at home. How wonderful it is to be able to hand over the reins to someone else, even for a short time, and for whatever reason.
The caregivers of those who are elderly, disabled, sick, or dying are needy in their own right. The mental and emotional toll associated with giving constant care is as exhausting as the physical work involved. Perhaps there is just too much to do, maybe there is no one else helping with the care, money may be tight, resources to lighten the care load might be unknown, therefore untapped. It is no wonder that caregivers fall prey to illness, disability and death themselves, often before the people they are taking care of.
A.V. Home Care Services has a respite program dedicated to helping caregivers get the time off they need. The beauty of the program is that it is for anyone in the community, not just the families of our clients. There are no major criteria for utilizing the services offered, except that the caregiver live with the person for whom they are responsible.
Respite is provided by the in-home staff of A.V. Home Care Services, who is experienced in caring for all types of clients. Respite can be for a short few hours to as long as a few days, depending on the caregiver need. The coverage is scheduled through the AVHCS office here at 795 Main Street, and as with all of our in-home visits, is supervised by our nurse managers.
Respite is a very personal matter to the caregivers for whom it is intended to help. While some people are eager to take advantage of the time away from their caregiving responsibilities, others feel guilty about leaving their loved one, even for a short time. We have had instances of respite in which the family member did not leave the premises, but just enjoyed time alone to read a book or take a good nap.
Whatever the reason, respite is not an unnecessary luxury for a caregiver. It is vital for sustaining one's strength and health under tremendous burden, especially if the role of caregiver is not chosen willingly. Resentment toward the one needing care is not uncommon, and this is magnified over time, especially if the sacrifices of the caregiver are not balanced by rest, time away, recreation, and freedom.
If you or someone you know might benefit from this service offered through A.V. Home Care Services, please do not hesitate to call for more information at (603) 752-7505. We are happy to share our resources, especially for those most in need and least attended to caregivers!
