Everyone deserves to love and care from their families, even if they are on the autism spectrum. Tending to a loved one can be quite a physical and emotionally draining experience, and even more so for managing those with autism. To accommodate their needs, loved ones would often forget or struggle to focus and care for their own lives, and if you are one of these people, you might find respite care a wanted solution.
Every person requires companionship to be happy and healthy. Various services provide this type of care for people with special needs. Personal assistants, nurses, and home care providers are just a few examples. However, most households in the United States rely on their family members to care for their loved ones with autism, a practice known as family caregivers.
If you find that caring for your special needs loved one around the clock leaves you stressed and with little time for yourself and your partner, respite care may benefit your family and mental health.
You Deserve Your Own Life To Live Too
Many people frequently neglect their personal lives when caring for a loved one, especially loved ones with special needs. They are always busy and unable to focus on their own needs.
There is a lot of pressure on family caregivers to put their personal lives on hold to tend to their loved ones with autism. This can put a strain on the caregiver’s mental and physical health and their personal lives. These consequences are particularly severe for women, who are more likely than men to suffer from depression due to their caregiving roles.
Despite the best intentions, the stress and exhaustion of constantly caring for a loved one can cause strain and tension among family members. It can be exhausting on a physical, emotional, and mental level.
Many caregiving services are stepping up in response to these concerns and problems, taking into account the needs of both the family caregiver and the individual who requires assistance. They are now able to provide respite care.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is a type of short-term care arrangement for people who cannot care for themselves. It is provided by volunteers who visit the home to offer support and help with daily tasks.
Light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, medication reminders, transportation, and other activities are among the services provided. Before returning to their own lives, the volunteer can stay in the home for a few hours or days. It will depend on how much free time you want for the day.
Hospices or charities frequently provide respite care with a well-established volunteer network. However, some professional caregiver services also offer this service.
How Respite Care Helps You
Respite care is a type of care that gives caregivers a break for a short period. These services can be provided by paid or volunteer caregivers.
They relieve the caregiver and the person that needs care. Caregivers can take a vacation, break from work, or spend quality time with their loved ones. It also gives you a chance to gain new perspectives and break up your routine.
This service is available in various forms, including short-term hospital stays, long-term nursing home stays, and home-based support services.
Respite Care Partners
According to researchers, respite care is one of the services about which families have concerns. They have no idea where to begin their search or how to choose a program that is appropriate for them. Consult with therapists, doctors, social workers, and teachers to start your search.
These professionals are aware of what your loved one requires at this time, and because they work in the healthcare field, they may be mindful of local programs that are appropriate for your family. They may also be able to assist you in completing the paperwork so that your loved one can be enrolled in these programs as soon as possible.
What To Look For In A Respite Care Partner?
When families narrow down their autism respite program options, the cost is often a factor. However, you’ll have to dig a little deeper to make sure you’ve made the right decision.
Do a screening interview and ask the following questions:
- Plans: What is the person’s method for passing the time during the respite shift? Is there a structured activity available, or will the person accommodate your loved one’s requirements?
- Background: What kind of education did the individual receive if you worked with them? Is it possible for the person to provide references? If you’re working with a company, inquire about their personnel.
- Skills: Make a list of everything your loved ones requires assistance with, and will their skillsets help with your loved one’s needs?
We recommend that you ask potential caregivers many questions about autism and care. Consider the following inquiries:
- Autism Expertise: What does the person know about autism, and how does it affect them? Is there a willingness to enlist in a training study if the person appears to know very little?
- Individuals with autism experience: Individuals with autism experience may have little to no prior experience assisting someone with autism. Their lack of experience allows you to provide individualized training. However, make sure the person knows the reactions, needs, and techniques. Associations should be aware of autism, and employees should be able to demonstrate that they have previously worked with this population.
- Managing Concerns: Outbursts, wandering, and physical aggression are all things that can be off-putting to anyone. Describe what occurs at home and inquire about the person’s comfort level in dealing with these issues.
- Availableness: When is the first respite session going to take place? How many times can you do it?
Schedule a trial of a respite care service if your interviews went well. Examine how the potential caregiver interacts with the individual you love. Alternatively, see how the person you care about reacts to a quick tour of the facility you’re considering. Continue looking if you don’t find a good match.
Takeaway
Addressing the care of a loved one who has autism is physically and emotionally daunting, and that’s why you need all the help you can get. Here at Nova Home Health Care, we provide various services, including respite care, to have a break and spend time for yourself. So if you are interested, feel free to contact us anytime!
