More and more adult children find themselves in the role of
caregiver for an aging parent. One in
four households are involved in caring for an aging loved one in some
manner. Often, caregivers are juggling
competing demands from eldercare, work, childcare and all that life
brings. How does one get away for a
vacation with all of these roles to juggle?
Too often, caregivers do not take a break and this can have
grave consequences-for their health and wellbeing. But, from a practical perspective, how does
one get away when they need to be there for their loved one? What if Mom or Dad lives in the home and
cannot stay alone, or stay safely alone for a long period of time? What if Mom lives in a care facility and you worry
about not visiting for a week? What if
there is an emergency? How can you think
of going on a cruise knowing you might be called back if something happens?
There are several options for enabling caregivers to get
away. Many families share the care and
have a sibling come to stay or the care recipient go to stay with another
family member, but this is not always feasible or available as an option. If not, consider various options for respite
care. If an elderly parent lives with
you in the home, professional in home care may be the most viable option. But, how do you know where to find good
help? What happens if someone does not
show up to help while you are gone? A
professional care manager is the solution.
A care manager deals with setting up in home care regularly, so he or
she knows the best resources and can explain the details to you. A care manager works to find the most
appropriate caregivers for your loved one's needs. Typically, a care manager will coordinate
with a licensed home health agency (either independent of they may have their
own or work in conjunction with one) so that you have liability and other legal
protections. Then, the care manager
works to coordinate the care plan and the caregivers. Most importantly, the care manager helps monitor
the care while you are gone and provides on call assistance if there are any
problems or emergencies. You can have
the peace of mind to know someone is handling any issues that arise.
If your loved one resides in their own home and does not
need direct care but you check in and worry about being far away, a care
manager can take over those duties for the time you are gone. The care manager can check in and be on call
if needed.
Alternatively, if your loved one lives in a care facility,
the care manager can monitor the care there while you are away, and be the
alternative emergency contact if needed.
A care manager can also help set up a respite stay in a care facility
while you are gone. This may be a good
option if your loved one requires some care or assistance, rather than bringing
in home care. The care manager can help
you assess and decide what is best for your loved one. They can address the pros and cons of different
options. For instance, someone with
dementia may benefit from the consistency of staying in a familiar setting with
caregivers coming in, but others may have trouble getting used to the
unfamiliar faces (which a care manager can help work through and provide
techniques to help). Others may benefit
from the socialization and activities at a care facility-and this can be a
particularly good option if you want to start getting your loved one and
yourself familiar with a facility for possible future needs.
Whatever your situation as a caregiver---consider talking to
someone about the options and know that there are options. You can come back refreshed and better able
to do your job as a caregiver. It may
seem impossible, but don't rule it out until you have checked out the options.
About the author: Shannon Martin, M.S.W., CMC is the Director of Community Relations for Aging Wisely (www.agingwisely.com), a comprehensive eldercare and disability care management company in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Shannon received her Master's in Social Work and Gerontology Certification from University of Georgia and has worked in various eldercare settings including nursing homes and Hospice. Shannon is a regular speaker and author in the Tampa Bay community on issues related to eldercare and caregiving. See Shannon's complete bio at: http://www.agingwisely.com/meet-our-team.
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