How to Prepare Your Senior for Respite Care

By Lori LaPorte | September 18, 2018 |

Respite care can be an incredibly valuable tool for you as a family caregiver. No matter how well you plan your care approach for your parent, or how dedicated you are to fulfilling your senior’s care needs, emergencies can always arise. You may become ill, or your children may become ill and require care. There may be an event or activity you must attend, or you may simply feel overwhelmed and stressed, and need some time away from your care routine. When this happens, respite care can play a valuable role in ensuring your senior has ongoing access to the quality of care they need to maintain their health and safety until you can return. In order for your parent to get the most benefit out of respite care, and for you to get the most out of the experience as well, it is important to to prepare prior to the respite care provider arriving.

Caregiver in Lake Forest CA: Preparing Your Senior for Respite Care

Use these tips to prepare your senior for respite care:

Talk to your parent about the arrangement as soon as possible. In many situations, this might not be an option. If there is an emergency or urgent need, you might not have much time to tell your parent about the change in plans. If you do have this time, however, have a conversation with them about why you are not going to be available, even if you do not give them full details, and the quality of the care they will receive.
Write up a schedule for your senior’s day. Many elderly adults maintain a routine that keeps their day structured, and gives them a sense of control. Writing up this schedule allows the respite care provider to follow this routine as closely as possible, and reassures your senior their daily life will not change significantly.
Write out any pertinent information that might help the respite care provider give your senior the quality of care they need, and avoid potentially dangerous situations. This can include making note of any allergies your parents has, creating a list of all medical needs, and even writing down likes and dislikes for your parent’s meals or activities.
Consider making things easy for both of them by preparing meals for each day you will be gone, and storing them in your senior’s freezer with clear instructions on how to prepare them. This will give your senior a taste of your care for them, and ensure they maintain proper nutrition.
Make a full contact list for everyone in your care team. Include several ways to get in touch with you, including your mobile device, your partner’s mobile device, social media accounts, and email. Distribute this contact list to other members of your care team as well so the respite care provider can get in touch with someone in the event that it is needed.
Leave a full itinerary for your senior to reference while you are gone. Knowing where you are and how to get in touch with you will make your senior feel less anxious, and ensures easier and faster access to you should there be an emergency situation.

Introducing or increasing home care for your senior can be a fantastic way to reduce stress and improve your quality of life during this often busy and challenging time of year. During this time of year, you are likely extremely busy, and it may only get more pressing as the months pass. You must handle all of the needs of your children as they head back to school, start preparing for and enjoying the holiday season, and still take care of your parent. Having an in-home senior care services provider as an element of your care routine during this time can make a tremendous difference for both of you. The customer services of this care provider allow you to take a step back from all of your effort so you can focus your energy in more effective and efficient ways. This also gives your parent the opportunity to feel more independent, and not like they always have to wait for you and around your schedule to handle the things they need and want to do.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering caregiver services in Lake Forest, CA, please contact the caring staff at Easy Living Home Care today. Providing Non-Medical Home Care Services in Orange County, CA since 2009. Call for Assistance: (949) 282-5017 or (949) 842-6831

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Lori LaPorte

Founder/Owner at Easy Living Home Care

Easy Living Home Care owner and administrator, Lori LaPorte, has over forty years of extensive experience caring for the elderly community. Ms. LaPorte graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education, Elementary Education and Health.

At a very young age it was always Ms. LaPorte’s passion to work with the elderly. She was a caregiver at a nursing home in high school and college and volunteered in senior centers and senior events held by the city in which she grew up. After graduation, Ms. LaPorte became a special education teacher for sixteen years.

She put her teaching career on the sidelines to raise two wonderful children, during which her passion for the elderly inspired her to start Easy Living Home Care in 2009. Ms. Laporte wanted to help people, especially seniors, find competent, qualified, and caring in-home care at reasonable rates.

Ms LaPorte takes an active role in conducting and managing all operations of her business. She is patient, compassionate and listens. Ms. Laporte is always available to her clients and staff.

In her spare time, Lori volunteers for the American Red Cross and Leashes of Love canine rescue organization.