Between last-minute gift shopping, planning festive feasts, and hosting holiday get-togethers, the most wonderful time of the year can also be one of the most hectic. The added pressure of caring for a senior loved one can make the hustle and bustle of the season even more exhausting.
Thankfully, caregiver burnout doesn’t have to put a damper on your holiday spirit. Arranging a respite care stay for your loved one in an assisted living community can provide the temporary relief you need to rest, relax, and recharge as you ring in the holidays!
Here are three great reasons to arrange a respite care stay over the holidays:
#1: Reduce holiday stress
The holiday season can be stressful for anyone, but especially for full-time senior caregivers. You may find yourself wearing multiple hats and feeling stretched thin as you attempt to tackle everything on your holiday to-do list. Instead of trying to balance your caregiver responsibilities with your holiday activities, turn to respite care this holiday season!
Respite care will give you more time to focus on holiday-related activities, such as:
- Shopping for (and wrapping) holiday gifts
- Preparing meals
- Cleaning your home
- Spending time with out-of-town guests
- Attending holiday parties and festivities
- Travel to visit distant relatives and friends
- And much more!
It’s common for caregivers to experience extra stress and even burnout during the holidays. Arranging a respite care stay for your loved one can provide priceless peace of mind and allow you both to fully enjoy the holiday season.
#2: Take a much-needed break
Everyone deserves a break from their day-to-day responsibilities during the holidays, whether it’s to take a vacation with family and close friends or enjoy a “staycation” at home. Unfortunately, traveling isn’t easy for caregivers who need to be available at all times to support a senior loved one. Instead of putting holiday travel plans on hold, plan a short-term respite care stay for your loved one in an assisted living community. By planning ahead, you can enjoy getting away for a weekend, a week, or even longer.
Taking regular breaks is very important for caregivers — after all, you need to take care of yourself before you can properly care for someone else. However, many family caregivers feel guilty when taking time for themselves. It may help to realize that respite care is not just meant to be a break for you; it can also be a welcome change of scenery for your senior loved one. Today’s assisted living communities feature a range of modern amenities to make life easier for residents and respite care guests, from delicious chef-prepared meals and light housekeeping services to an on-site beauty salon, movie theatre, fitness center, and planned activities to suit any interest. With so much to offer, respite care can feel like a vacation for your loved one, too!
#3: Take a “trial run” of assisted living
Choosing an assisted living community is a big, life-changing decision. Even after touring assisted living communities in your area, your loved one may be wondering what to expect once they move. Using respite care during the holiday season can be the perfect opportunity to take a trial run of an assisted living community and see if it’s the right fit.
An assisted living respite care stay provides a meaningful way for your loved one to meet staff members, interact with residents, and experience everything the community has to offer. After their respite care stay, your loved one may feel more comfortable with the idea of moving to an assisted living community they’re already familiar with.
Give the Gift of Respite Care
Do you need a helping hand before or after the busy holiday season? Respite care can be one of the most important gifts you give yourself and your loved one. Best of all, there’s still time to schedule a short-term respite care stay at Bethany Village!
During their respite care stay, your loved one will have access to the same personal care, services, and support as our assisted living and memory care residents. They’ll also enjoy access to our convenient five-star amenities and fun, holiday-related community events and activities to celebrate the season.
The holidays are a busy time for respite care, so we recommend arranging your loved one’s stay as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more about respite care at Bethany Village and take a tour of our community. We would be delighted to speak with you and answer any questions about scheduling a temporary respite care stay at Bethany Village. Happy Holidays!
