Short Term Respite Care
Respite Care: Taking a break from caring
If you are a carer you will know that, although hugely rewarding, caring for a loved one 24 hours a day can also be stressful work. Like everyone, sometimes you both need a holiday – and that is where short term respite care can help. Nursing home respite care can be a vital lifeline or tool for primary caregivers of elderly relatives, offering quality care in a safe and nurturing environment. We understand that some people may feel hesitance or even guilt in asking for assistance in the form of respite care, but we’re here to show that it’s not something to be worried about. It can instead play an important role in nurturing the health and happiness of both caregivers and their loved ones.
What is Respite Care?
Temporary respite care acts as a care break, providing short-term relief for at-home care providers. This break from everyday responsibilities and the often round-the-clock caregiving routine means that the person you usually care for is looked after by a dedicated team.
In some instances, a paid carer might come to look after the person you care for at home – perhaps once a week as a regular break for you, or as a one-off for a week or a fortnight. They may also take your loved one out for a day trip, or to a day centre or an activity group.
It could also mean that your loved one goes to stay in a nursing home for a while. This is, known as short-term respite care. This might be for a week, or a fortnight, allowing you to go on holiday or to take a break at home.
Why Might you Need Nursing Home Respite Care?
Caring for a loved one is a demanding role, and you shouldn’t be expected to do it all on your own. You need to prioritise your own health and wellbeing as much as you prioritise the health of your loved one.
Although you might feel guilty for seeking respite care, it is not selfish to do so. It can stop you from becoming exhausted or burnt-out and will allow you to step back from your daily care duties to recharge your batteries.
Being cared for can also be emotionally difficult. Sometimes a change of scene, different company, and the knowledge that the person who lovingly cares for you every day is getting a rest can be a relief to the person receiving care.
What are the Benefits of Nursing Home Respite Care?
Respite care can be good for both you and your loved one.
5 Benefits of Respite Care For the Caregivers
As a carer, it is difficult to continue the same high level of care and support if you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. You might find yourself becoming irritable or less patient than usual, and perhaps you’ll even feel less compassion towards the person you care for. Again, this is nothing to feel guilty about – it’s just another example of why it is so important to make time for yourself as a carer.
Preventing caregiver burnout
Care duties can be a full-time commitment which means that these responsibilities, on top of daily life, can understandably take their toll on the carer perhaps leaving them feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Respite is an opportunity to take some time and recharge your batteries, perhaps go on holiday or take a break at home. This can improve care in the long run as you have improved energy and focus when returning to the usual routine.
After some time away, you might also have a refreshed outlook on caring, and may be able to look at common issues you face as a carer with a fresh pair of eyes, making caring easier, more enjoyable, or more rewarding.
Transitional tool
Respite can be used as an insightful stepping stone to help a potential transition from at-home care to a residential setting. If you’re considering a move for your loved one, this is a great way to test the water, get an idea of how it could work and help the individual settle into a similar living environment in the future.
A fresh pair of eyes
Respite stays with professionals in a nursing home setting can offer an additional perspective on your loved one’s health and current condition. Think of the team as an extra shoulder of support to lean on – there to offer advice or tips to further enhance your role as caregiver.
Rehabilitation support
Residential respite care can be a great option after a stay in hospital, especially if you need time to organise care arrangements at home. In the meantime, your loved one can take advantage of the 24-hour support and dedicated team of nurses as they recover and build up the strength to return home.
A chance to prioritise other needs
The additional personal time that carers can recoup as part of respite allows you to care for your own needs. Whether this is attending appointments or tackling your growing to-do list, it is an opportunity to pick up those tasks that can often get neglected. It can give carers a well-earned opportunity to go on holiday or take a break at home, or perhaps even pursue a hobby or interest. It also gives time to strengthen other relationships, with friends or family, that you may have had less time for whilst caring for your loved one.
5 Benefits of Respite Care For the Person Being Cared For
Short-term respite care doesn’t just benefit the carer. It can also be a great experience for the person receiving care.
Social interaction
Respite in a residential setting offers the benefit of added conversation and the ability to enjoy the company of others who are of a similar age. This companionship and enhanced social experience can benefit their confidence, communication skills, health and wellbeing.
Stimulating environment
Exposure to a new and stimulating environment outside of the everyday can lead to renewed energy. The Randolph Hill Nursing Homes Group, like many care homes, offer a programme of varied activities, a hairdresser, and plenty of opportunities for a chat or to spend some time in our private gardens.
Improved recovery
Respite nursing care offers 24-hour access to a dedicated team who ensure that recovery from illness or a hospital stay is as smooth as possible. Some homes even have specialists on hand who can help with rehabilitation such as physical therapy.
Better insight into the residential care environment
If you are having conversations with your loved one about a possible transition into a full-time residential living environment, respite can help both parties reach a decision. The individual may have preconceived conceptions on what they think it will be like, when in fact the real experience of companionship, personalisation, quality dining and varied activities completely changes their viewpoint.
Rediscovering hobbies or interests
The residential care home environment is particularly effective at nurturing past interests and encouraging individual to try out new ones. At Randolph Hill, we take a person-centred approach to care: we like to get to know as much as possible about those who are staying with us, even if it is for a short stay. That way, we can shape activities around their interests, helping them to settle well, and presenting the opportunity to do something that may not have done for years. And if people return for regular respite visits, they know that they will find some familiar faces, and an environment that is a known “home from home”.
Respite Care Scotland – A Break for Carers and Their Loved Ones
Respite Nursing Home Care is a decision that offers benefits for everyone involved. We all need a break from work now and again, and with in-home care often being a round-the-clock job on top of everyday responsibilities, carers deserve to set this time aside for their own health and wellbeing.
It’s all about finding the right option for the individual, considering any specific health conditions. For example, you may be looking for respite care for dementia, which would require a specialist environment. You could consider whether a residential stay or daytime care at a day centre or lunch club would be the better option. If you choose a nursing home for short-stay respite care, it is important to choose one that best fits your loved one’s needs and lifestyle.
Don’t be afraid to look at a few different options, and ask to visit the nursing home ahead of booking a respite break. Take the opportunity to ask any further questions that you may have. You might want to ask things like:
· What activities are on offer?
· What qualifications do the care providers hold?
· What are the meals like? Do they cater to dietary requirements?
· Are the staff trained in caring for people with dementia?
· How much is respite care?
How to Organise Respite Care
At Randolph Hill, we offer pre-bookable, short term respite care for the elderly at Ashley Court in Morningside, Kirk Lane in Livingston, Muirfield in Gullane and Randolph Hill in Dunblane. Those staying with us for respite can take advantage of the comfortable facilities and wide range of offerings, from high-quality food, events, activities and day trips.
You can book up to 6 months in advance for respite stays lasting from one week to a few weeks, depending on your needs.
To find out more, request a brochure or book a tour, just contact us today and we’ll be more than happy to help.
Respite care frequently asked questions
Respite care isn’t a one-size-fits-all offering. There are options out there that cater to a variety of needs. It can last anywhere from a couple of hours to several weeks depending on the location. You can also find specialised options such as those for people who have just left hospital or are living with dementia.
If you’re currently caring for a loved one, your choice will come down to their specific needs, accessibility and the range of benefits and services that come with an individual destination.
The following frequently asked questions and answers should help you better decide whether Randolph Hill is the place for you and the person you care for.
Do all Randolph Hill care homes offer respite care?
Only certain homes have specific rooms that we set aside for respite care, but we do offer the care in a variety of regions across central Scotland. It is currently available at our Ashley Court, Kirk Lane, Muirfield and Dunblane locations.
How long does respite last at Randolph Hill?
It can be flexible. We’ll work with you to organise a stay that suits you and your loved one’s needs. They may be with us for a week, or a little longer if needed. That gives them a chance to settle in and feel comfortable, while giving you a well-earned break from your everyday carer duties.
When are rooms available?
We set aside limited rooms at four of our nursing homes, specifically for respite residents. Because of this limited availability, they may not be free at short notice – that’s why we recommend booking in advance if you can.
How far in advance can I book a room?
If you’re prepared and have an idea of the dates you would like, you can book respite care at Randolph Hill up to 6 months in advance. We recommend the earlier the better to ensure you get the dates and location you want.
Who is best suited to respite care at Randolph Hill?
We can meet many needs thanks to our 24-hour nursing, personal and social care, provided by a skilled and professional team. By contacting us, you can let our team know about your specific needs and we can advise if we can provide the care your loved one requires, or recommend an alternative.
How much does respite care cost at Randolph Hill?
This depends on the length of stay and your preferred care home location. All of our respite options are private costs. We do not offer council funded options. You can find out more about individual costs here.
Can my loved one get involved in activities or day trips if they are able?
A respite resident staying with us is treated with the same level of care, attention, and with the same services and facilities on offer, as all our permanent residents. If they are feeling up to it, they are more than welcome to get involved whether it’s activities within the home or one of our regular day trips. We encourage involvement and interaction with our other residents and the care team as this can help the individual settle in, feel more comfortable and make connections with others.
Could I book respite if I’m thinking about whether Randolph Hill is the right place for my loved one to live full time?
Yes, this is an option. It may be a good way to help your loved one settle into the idea of living with us and ease their transition if you decide that Randolph Hill is the care home you would like to choose.
How do your team get to know my loved one on a short-term basis?
Our team are a curious bunch, but all for a good reason. By knowing a respite resident’s hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes, we can include them in our activity schedule and suggest new skills and other pastimes that they may be interested in too. We also like to be aware of their daily preferences so that we can incorporate them into their specific routine – this could be anything from their preferred time to shower, to how they take their tea.
How do you provide personalised care in a respite environment?
Our team will take the time to talk to any new respite resident and their family. We’ll ask questions in order to learn about their life story so far, any key events and moments, and their likes and dislikes. A personal care plan is created so that our nursing and care team can tailor their care based on the individual’s requirements. A summary of this will always be available in the resident’s room and a full copy kept in the nurses’ office.
Although it may be for a short time, a lot of thought goes into respite care at Randolph Hill. This way, our temporary residents feel just as well cared for as our permanent ones.
Find out more about availability and book a respite care stay here.