Caring for an ageing loved one can affect your emotional and physical health and well-being. As the old adage says, it is impossible to look after someone else if you are not taking care of yourself.
The good news is there are many options when it comes to having someone else care for your elderly friend, neighbour, or relative for just a few hours one or two days a week. It is essential to point out that you should never feel guilty or any other negative emotion when considering having a break from caring, as it will make you and your loved one the proverbial world of good.
With this in mind, continue reading for a comprehensive guide to short-term senior care options.
Short-Term Care With A View To Permanent Relocation
Prestigious, established, reputable, and renowned senior living facilities offer various short-term senior care options with skilled nursing practitioners, mental health workers, physiotherapists, and other medically trained professionals.
If your loved one is considering moving to a senior living community, short-term care programs at such places are a fantastic way for them to gain a true sense of the atmosphere and way of life without rushing into making any commitments for the future.
Short-Term Care After Medical Treatment
After an operation or other medical treatment, anyone—regardless of age or physical ability—needs time to recharge and recuperate.
Choosing short-term care for your ageing loved one during this time will benefit their physical health as their body recovers and provide them with emotional and mental stimulation. Additionally, medical professionals can be part of your loved one’s short-term care plan.
Short-Term Care When Out Of Town
Another way that short-term senior care would benefit is if the primary caregiver is planning to be out of town for a long weekend or more—either for work or simply on vacation.
Your loved one will also benefit from the break in routine and, if they attend their short-term care community regularly, may make new connections and even new friendships.
Benefits of Short-Term Senior Care
There is a myriad of benefits to taking advantage of one of the various options for short-term care for your ageing loved one, including but in no way limited to the following:
- Recovery after surgery
- Regaining their strength after a fall or illness
- A break for both your loved one and the primary caregiver
- Improved quality of life, ready for their return home
- Re-learning of physical motion and activity
- New motivation and energy levels
- Safe and secure location whilst their home is having work done
- Social interaction, communication, and the development of new friendships
Funding Short-Term Care
Obviously, one way to fund short-term care is to provide the required funds from your own resources or with the consent of your loved ones.
However, if this is not an option, you could consider contacting your local state health and social care trust to see if any grants could be awarded, taking a personal loan (although this would require thorough research and diligent interest comparisons), or pooling together funds from your loved one’s other family members.