That old saying about planning for something or it won’t happen is largely true. It’s especially true if you’re a caregiver and you’re talking about respite time. Respite is way too easy to put off unless you’re actively making it a priority.
Determine What You Need in Order to Commit to Respite
What is it that will help you to not only plan but take respite time? Your senior’s needs need to be considered in this and so do yours. There may be things you need to do before you’ll feel comfortable with taking respite, like putting together an information packet about what helps your senior the most. Figure out what you need, including who will help you with respite time, so that you can start putting plans into action.
Organize Yourself and Your Solutions
Once you know what your solutions need to be, it’s important to get them all organized and ready to go. If that information packet is holding you up, get it put together. Don’t worry about perfect at this point, or you’ll never be finished. Contact elderly care providers to handle respite coverage for you. Make an actual appointment and put it in your calendar. Then stick with those plans.
Your Senior Can Help if You Keep Her Involved
Your elderly family member might not be able to help you to plan respite or take care of any of the details, but you will be better served if you keep her involved. She may be able to remind you of things that need to be in place and she can help you to make sure you’re covering all the bases. It’s also going to help her to feel less like you’re running away than just taking time for yourself.
Notice How You’re Feeling and Stay Positive
As you get closer to taking respite time, make note of how you’re feeling about the whole situation. What’s going on in your thoughts and how are you responding to them? Hopefully you’re feeling positive and you’re looking forward to taking time away. If you’re not, that’s something that you might want to look into a little more closely.
It’s important to understand why you’re experiencing some of the feelings you’ve got so that you can address anything that might be holding you back from taking the time that you need.
The first few times you actually take respite still might not be all that easy for you. But having that time when you can focus on yourself and your own needs is going to make a world of difference for you and for your senior.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Shepherd, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
