Sending a loved one to a care home is a tough decision. It is crucial to know that the care home you choose meets all of your loved one’s requirements. It is also important to know when the best time to send your loved one to a care home is, and what type of care is necessary, such as residential respite care.
Sending a Loved One to a Care Home
We know that sending a loved one to a care home is a tough decision. Whilst we would all love to stay at home, this is not always possible. Decisions take a long time and are often filled with a variety of emotions. Many people feel guilty and upset about sending their parents or family to a care home. That being said, there can be a lot of relief and happiness in knowing that they are receiving care 24/7. Sometimes, this is for the best. Looking after a loved one is a tough and emotional task.
There are many emotions involved in this decision, and it is hard to make it alone. Therefore, we have developed this blog to help your decision on whether or not your loved one requires long-term or residential respite care.
Factors Impacting The Elderly
Confusion and Disorientation
The first thing you might notice is that your loved one becomes confused or disoriented. This can manifest in a number of ways. Your loved one may begin to forget familiar people or places, get lost in familiar surroundings, or have difficulty understanding simple concepts. If this is happening, it’s important to speak with a doctor to rule out any underlying medical causes. If there is no medical cause, then it may be time to consider long-term or residential respite care.
Loss of Interest in Activities
Another sign that residential respite care may be necessary is a loss of interest in activities. This can be hobbies, social activities, or even just interacting with other people. When someone stops taking part in activities that bring them joy, they may need more help and support than you can provide on your own. Many elderly people may experience depression and anxiety, thus causing them to avoid activities and socialising. Care homes can be a great way to encourage socialisation as residents are with other likeminded people.
Changes in Mood or Personality
If you notice changes in your loved one’s mood or personality, they may require need residential or respite care. These changes can manifest as depression, loneliness, anxiety, irritability, or even aggression. If you’ve noticed any of these changes, speaking with a medical professional can help you understand why. If there is no medical cause, then a care home may be the best option.
Physical Decline
Finally, if you’ve noticed a decline in your loved one’s physical health. This can become apparent through weakness, or a loss of balance and regular falls. This can become dangerous, and if you’re worried about your loved one’s safety, then long-term or residential respite care may be the best option.
Factors Impacting Residential Respite Carers
Exhaustion
Whilst we all want to provide the best care for our loved one ourselves, this is an exhausting task and can lead to burnout. If you’re finding that you’re struggling to cope with the demands of caring, it’s worth considering residential respite care. This will give both you and your loved one a break, and some time to recharge your batteries. Alternatively, sending a loved one to a care home for a longer period of time can allow you to enjoy the time you spend with them more than you would when looking after them.
Financial Hardship
Caring for a loved one can be a costly business. If you’re starting to struggle financially, residential respite, or long-term care can take some of the pressure off. It is possible to receive loans and grants to support you in sending a loved one to a care home to ensure they get the care they deserve. Moreover, this takes the financial burden away from yourself.
Lack of Support
It’s important to have a good support network when you’re caring for someone. If you’re finding that you don’t have enough people around you to help out, residential respite care can give you a much-needed break. Alternatively, long-term care can provide your loved one with the support they need on a 24/7 basis. This ensures that your loved one gets the care they deserve, regardless of the service you choose.
Mental Health
Caring for a loved one can be extremely stressful. If you’re finding that the demands of caring are affecting your mental health, it’s important to consider respite or long-term care. This will allow you to take some time for yourself to recover, and ensure that your loved one is still getting the care they need. If selecting respite care, you can recharge your batteries, and ensure that you are able to provide the best possible care to your loved one.
Physical Health
If you’re struggling to cope with the physical demands of caring, it’s worth considering residential respite or long-term care. This will take the pressure off you, and ensure that your loved one is still getting the care they require. Ultimately, your loved one would not want you to suffer as a result of caring for them. So, it may be the best solution to send them to a care home for residential respite care, or for a longer period of time.
Changes in Circumstances
If there have been changes in your life, such as demands of work, or moving, caring for your loved one may become impossible. In this case, residential respite care or long-term care may be the best option. This will ensure that your loved one receives the necessary support and care, without negatively impacting on your life.
Residential Respite Care at The Victoria Grand Care Home
At The Victoria Grand, we dedicate ourselves to providing a high level of care to all of our residents. We do this by providing two key types of care, long-term residential care, and residential respite care.
Our long-term care is designed for those who require on-going care and support and includes comprehensive end-of-life care to ensure they pass with dignity. Residential respite care is typically shorter-term and can be used as a way of giving informal carers a much-needed break. This allows for carers to recharge their batteries and return to caring their loved one with all of their energy. Both types of care are designed to ensure that your loved one receives the best care possible. We develop bespoke care plans to ensure that each resident receives the care they require and thus provides peace of mind to all involved.
Overall, there are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether residential respite care or long-term care would be right for you and your loved one. Whether it’s exhaustion, financial hardship, lack of support, mental health issues, or simply changes in circumstances – these services can provide much-needed relief during difficult times. So, if you’re struggling to cope with caring for a loved one, it may be the right time to send them to a residential respite home or for long-term care.
Contact Us
To learn more about our home and care plans, explore our website, or contact us today on 01903 248048 or manager@thevictoriagrand.co.uk to speak with our friendly team. Or, schedule a visit to our beautiful home and take a look around. Our team will always be on hand to answer any questions you may have.