ask the experts
Respite:
A Prescription for Successful Caregiving Ask your doctor about the use of respite
By Kay Vanags, BS, LBSW, Family Caregiver Specialist, Aging Resources of Central Iowa Respite is probably the most misunderstood and underutilized service by caregivers. I encourage you to consider how therapeutic a few hours a week of relief could be. It might be just what the doctor ordered!
Kay Vanags
Respite is an interval of relief during a period of work. Caregiving is a special type of work that may require being “on-call” up to 24 hours a day. This work is physically, emotionally and financially demanding. If you had a work-related injury and went to the doctor to discuss your health, she might suggest a medication to relieve your symptoms. When respite is prescribed it allows the caregiver to recharge and remember that there is life beyond caregiving.
Other suggested therapies Schedule activities that • Make you feel good • Provide you with a sense of accomplishment • Involve other people • Create positive experiences in your life
Warnings No negative side effects
Treatment for Healthy Caregiving • Respite can extend the length of time that you can continue to provide care. • It is worth the effort to arrange time for you. • You and your family member will both benefit!
The prescription might read as follows:
Respite Rx Active Ingredients: Caregiver and family member with special needs Purpose: Healthy living
Questions or Comments:
Dosage For optimum effectiveness, respite should be taken anytime it can be arranged for 2-3 times a week for 3-4 hours each time.
Uses
Temporary relief from: • Short tempers • Bodily aches and pains • “The blues” • Stress
If you have feelings of • Hopelessness and helplessness • Eating too much or having no appetite • Not sleeping or sleeping too much • Tearfulness • Wanting to “escape”
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Call the Iowa Family Caregiver Support Program, which is sponsored by the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging at 1-866-468-7887. They will direct you to your local Area Agency on Aging for family caregiving information, education, counseling and possible funding for equipment and respite. You can also locate your Family Caregiver Specialist and additional caregiving information by going to www.iowafamilycaregiver.org. Live it!
Winter 2012
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