How Boston Area Respite Care Helps Families During Holiday Season

The holiday season holds a special meaning for family members who live far away from one another. For countless people, it is a chance to catch up with older relatives who they can’t keep an eye on as much as they’d like. If you plan to visit a parent or grandparent, keep in mind that it is also an opportunity to discover whether your loved one may be in need of professional assistance in their homes.

Respite care can be extremely helpful this time of year, whether you are headed out of town or plan to stay put. If you normally help an aging loved one at home but will be more occupied than usual, knowing that a compassionate, professional caregiver is available to fill in for you can be a huge relief.

What to Do When You Notice Changes in an Older Relative’s Condition?

Millions of Americans will be traveling to visit parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other friends and relatives. After being apart for extended periods of time, it is common to notice changes in a loved one’s habits and behavior, and some of these changes might raise concerns. There may be signs of a lack of personal care that you don’t recall from previous visits. Your relative might seem more distracted or off balance, leaving you to wonder if it is safe to leave them on their own. 

Preferring to live independently, older people often resist asking for help, which is why families sometimes get an unexpected picture during in-person visits. If you think someone you love needs help getting dressed, bathing or performing other activities at home, respite care is a safe and readily available option while you explore longer-term solutions. Right at Home’s services provide highly customizable in-home aid to seniors, either for several hours, several days, or as a live-in care solution.

How Will You Know Your Aging Family Member Needs Help?

The latest research indicates that some 4.3 million people over 55 who live alone show signs of cognitive impairment or dementia. Diagnosing dementia and other conditions common among the elderly is complex and should involve guidance from the individual’s doctor. That said, certain details may indicate a family member could benefit from professional, in-home care due to cognitive decline or some other mental or physical issue. 

If you suspect a family member needs in-home assistance, signs to look for include:

• Inattention to hygiene

• Significant increase in forgetfulness

• Hoarding or unusually cluttered home

• Bruising due to recent falls

• Difficulty with routine tasks like bathing and cooking

• Other signs of cognitive impairment

Some seniors require live-in care, while others are fairly independent but may need help running errands or performing certain daily tasks. That is why a good respite care program will be created on a case by case basis.

Consider Scheduling Respite Care if You Anticipate Needing Outside Help

Many Americans routinely support a spouse who needs help around the home or a neighbor who requires supervision when driving to the store. You can still have that role, using respite care as a reliable solution when you want a break to focus on personal needs you have been neglecting. Dedicated family caregivers sometimes find it difficult to ease up on their duties, and the holidays might reveal that it’s time to give them a breather, as well. 

If you anticipate needing help for any reason, consider scheduling in professional assistance to cover an upcoming change in your schedule. 

Right at Home’s Respite Care Program Helps Boston Area Seniors Over the Holidays

Right at Home in Boston’s Metro West area offers families peace of mind over the holidays by assisting seniors with a broad range of in-home tasks when they need it. Our team will provide a trained and vetted caregiver who is ready to take over the same duties you would normally provide. A plan will be personalized to meet the specific needs of your loved one on whatever schedule you require. 

Call our team or contact us online so we can discuss your needs and start creating a plan to help out this holiday season. We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate senior care in Newton, MA, where we are located, as well as throughout the surrounding area.