Respite Care

Being someone's primary caregiver is an act of love...with consequences.

Caring for a loved one is often called the greatest gift you can give someone. However, caregiving is often not without consequences. Numerous medical studies have shown the heavy burden caregivers bare as a result of being the primary caretaker. Maybe you are experiencing a lack of sleep because your father's Alzheimer's is causing him to wander at night, or you are experiencing increased stress due to having to leave work to care for a family member. Medical studies have found stressors like these are likely to take their toll on the caregiver resulting in "caregiver burnout."

Caregiver burnout: signs and symptoms

• Feeling overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless
• Insomnia and irritability
• More frequent illnesses
• Depression
• Feelings of alienation and guilt
• Lack of energy
• Weight loss, weight gain, increased blood pressure, and increased use of antidepressants
• Thoughts of losing control physically or emotionally

Share the Care

Hopewell's Respite Care Services provide an opportunity for the family caregiver to take a break from providing care and ease the stress associated with giving care to a loved one. Respite care can be the break that allows you to "recharge your batteries" and allow you to better care for your loved one. Whether you need a couple of hours for yourself to go to your hairdresser, or just need some time to take care of personal needs, a Hopewell referred caregiver can be the right person to help you - share the care. Hopewell can refer caregivers for just a few hours a day or for 24 hour live-in care. Scheduling is flexible, so the caregivers work around your schedule, not the other way around.

Call (850) 386-5552 and ask to speak to a nurse about setting up a no-cost assessment of how we can help you "share the care."