Caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness can be extremely rewarding but also particularly challenging. You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or isolated by the demands of caregiving. You may also feel guilty or anxious about taking a break from your loved one. But you deserve time to rest, recharge, and care for yourself. That is why hospice respite care can be a great option for you and your loved one.
Hospice respite care is a service that allows you to temporarily place your loved one in a facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice house, where they can receive professional care and support. You can use this time to do whatever you need or want, such as sleeping, working, running errands, visiting friends, or enjoying a hobby. Respite care can last up to five days at a time.
Respite care can benefit both you and your loved one. It can help you reduce stress, improve your health, and cope better with your caregiving role. It can also help your loved one feel more comfortable, secure, and cared for. Respite care can also strengthen your relationship, as you can appreciate each other more when together.
However, respite care can also be a difficult and emotional decision. You may worry about leaving your loved one in a new place with unfamiliar people. You may also worry about how they will adjust and feel about you. That is why planning, communicating well, and documenting everything is important. This article will provide a checklist of things to do before, during, and after respite care to ensure you and your loved one have a positive and smooth experience.
Before Respite Care: Preparation is Key
Compile Medication Information
Your loved one may need to take different medicines at various times of the day. You should list all the medicines they need and how much they need to take. You should also write down when they need to take each medicine and how they should take it (for example, with water, with food, or under the tongue). Some medicines are only for emergencies or when your loved one feels unbelievably bad. You should make a separate list of these medicines and write down when and how to use them. You should prepare all the medicines your loved one will need during their respite stay and bring them to the place where they will stay.
Dietary Information
Your loved one may have trouble eating or drinking. You should find out if they need help with feeding and how you or the staff can help them. You should also write down what kind of food and drink they can and cannot have. Some people need soft or mashed food, and others need thick or thin liquids. You should also write down if your loved one is allergic to food or medicine and what happens if they have it.
Treatment Preferences
Your loved one may have choices about how they want to be treated for their pain and other problems. You should talk to them and write down what they want and do not want. You should also ensure that the staff at the place where they will stay know and respect these choices. You should also write down who can decide for your loved one if they cannot make them themselves.
Inform the Target Respite Facility Staff
The staff at the place where your loved one will stay may not know them well. You should tell them about your loved one's likes and dislikes, such as their favorite music, hobbies, or activities. You should also tell them about your loved one's daily routines, such as when they wake up, eat, or sleep. You should also tell them about any special needs your loved one has, such as a wheelchair, a hearing aid, or a special pillow. You should also give them your phone number and the phone numbers of other family members or caregivers if they need to contact you.
Prepare the Clothing and Other Belongings
You and your loved one should consider the respite stay a vacation for both of you. You should pack enough clothes for your loved one and other things they may need, such as diapers, wipes, or toiletries. You should also pack some things that make your loved one happy, such as photos, books, or toys. You should bring these things when your loved one goes to the respite place.
While your hospice provider should provide most of the information above to the respite place, you should also check that nothing is missing. You are the best person to know your loved one and what they need. Your help also shows the respite staff that you and your family care about your loved one and want them to have a good respite stay.
During Respite Care: A Smooth Transition
Handover Meeting
When you bring your loved one to the respite, you should meet with the people who will care for them. You should tell them everything they need to know about your loved one, such as their medicine, food, pain, and wishes. You should also ask them questions about the respite place, such as the rules, the activities, and the emergency plans. You should ensure that you and the respite staff understand each other and agree on how to care for your loved one.
Familiarize the Caregivers
Your loved one may feel nervous or scared in a new place, with new people. You should help them feel more comfortable by introducing them to the caregivers who will be with them. You should tell the caregivers about your loved one's personality, interests, and hobbies. You should also tell them about special things that make your loved one feel better, such as a song, a story, or a hug. You should let the caregivers know that you trust them and that they can make your loved one feel safe and happy.
Open Communication
While your loved one stays at the respite place, you should stay connected with the staff. You should call or visit them often and ask how your loved one is doing. You should also tell them how you are doing and your need for support or advice. You should listen to the respite staff and respect their opinions and suggestions. You should also share your feelings and thoughts with them and let them know if you have any worries or problems. You should work with the respite staff and ensure you and your loved one are getting the best care possible.
After Respite Care: Welcome Back Home
Patient’s Return
When your loved one returns home from the respite place, you should ensure they are comfortable and happy. You should help them settle in bed and give them their favorite things. You should also talk to the respite staff to determine if they changed your loved one's medicine or care plan. You should write down these changes and follow them at home. You should also ask the respite staff if they have any tips or advice for you and thank them for their help.
After your loved one returns home, ask them how they liked the respite place. You should listen to their feelings and thoughts and tell them you are proud of them. You should also ask them if there is anything they want to change or improve about their care plan. You should write down their feedback and share it with your hospice provider. You should also make any changes you think are needed that your loved one agrees with.
Re-establish Routines
Your loved one may feel more relaxed and refreshed after their respite stay. You should help them return to normal routines and schedules, such as waking up, eating, or sleeping. You should also do fun and enjoyable things with them, such as playing games, watching movies, or reading books. You should also take care of yourself and do things that make you happy, such as exercising, meditating, or spending time with friends. You and your loved one should celebrate your time together and look forward to the next respite stay.
Conclusion: Empowering Families for Quality Respite Care
When you have a loved one who is extremely sick, you may need some help to take care of them. Respite care is a way to get some help from other people who can care for your loved one for a brief time. Respite care can help you and your loved one feel better and have some rest and fun. However, respite care can also be hard because you must trust other people with your loved one, and you must leave them for a while. That is why you need to plan, talk to the respite staff, and write down everything they need to know about your loved one. This checklist can help you do that and make sure that your loved one is safe and happy during their respite stay. Respite care can be good for you and your loved one if you do it right.
