Respite for Caregivers
As a caregiver, it is easy to lose sight of your own needs and forget to prioritize your own self-care; however, it is important to be realistic about what you are able to achieve by setting personal boundaries and sticking to them. Sometimes, this will mean saying no to demands that are unreasonable, unmanageable or inappropriate.
Respite Services
Respite services provide caregivers with a period of short-term relief from care duties. They may also help you with caregiving duties in the home, so your loved one can continue to live in your household for longer.
Some respite services are publicly funded. To access them, you will need to contact your local health authority to request an assessment for home and community care services. The health authority will need to know whether you are looking for in-home or institution services, as well as the address of the person with Parkinson’s. The next step is an assessment from the authority’s intake department, which should be able to set you up with a case manager. Alternately, a healthcare professional, like your physician, can make a referral to a case manager on your behalf. If a person with Parkinson’s is in the hospital, assessments are done there.
In-Home Support
British Columbia has identified a number of services that are administered by the five healthcare authorities and categorized as Continuing Care. These include: • Home support services (such as medication management)
- Adult day services
- Meal programs, like Meals on Wheels
- Short stay assessment and treatment centres
- Home oxygen programs
- Assisted living services
- Home care nursing
Adult Day Services or Programs
Adult day programs are community-based, day-long or half-day social and recreational programs offered for groups of people who need care. These programs focus on supporting exercise, toileting, eating and mobility issues. There is usually a small fee affiliated with the services, but the fee can be waived if financial need is demonstrated.
Short-term Residential Care
Sometimes, due to an injury or acute health challenges, short-term residential care (for less than 3 months) might be necessary. According to the BC Government, short-term residential care costs about $25 to $45 a day. Like the Adult Day Programs, people with demonstrated financial need may qualify for a reduced rate.
Negotiating with Employers
Caregiving can be emotionally and physically draining. If you are having difficulty managing work and caregiving commitments, consider asking your employer about family-friendly organizational policies. Options like flexible work arrangements, family leave and Employee Assistance Programs, are becoming increasingly common (Department of Social Development, 2016). While this is not a formal kind of respite, being able to balance work obligations and caregiving tasks can make a world of difference.
Informal Relief and Support
Productivity consultant David Allen says, “You can do anything, but not everything” (Bergeson, 2016). This is why prioritizing caring with other obligations in your life is so important. There is no shame in taking advantage of health services available to you. Additionally, asking for help with caring or household chores from close family members or friends can be beneficial to all parties involved. Even services that charge a small fee, like cleaning services, can help with the load you are bearing.
Sources
Bergeson, L. (2014, November 3). 11 Inspiring Quotes for Caregivers. Huffington Post. Retrieved from www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/03/inspiringcaregivers_n_6027962.html
Department of Social Development – New Brunswick. (2016). Caregivers’ Guide: Practical information for caregivers of older adults. Retrieved from www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Seniors/CaregiversGuide.pdf
This content was published in the Summer 2018 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.