Respite Care Services

RESPITE SERVICES AT MARINA ISLE

At Marina Isle, we care for our local elderly in many capacities. Although our primary purpose is an assisted living facility for our full-time residents at our waterfront facility, we also offer respite services. To find out how we can help you and your loved one, contact us today.

Respite Services

Respite services are those that offer a break for full-time caregivers. At Marina Isle, we know that many families choose to care for their senior loved ones in their homes, rather than move them to an assisted living community. If your family is in the position to be able to do this, we support you wholeheartedly, but it is important to understand that all caregivers need a break — you are only human! Many caregivers, especially family members, feel guilty for taking time off or feel like seeking additional services that would make their senior family members feel like a burden, but we are here to tell you that just isn’t true!

Respite services are important not only for caregivers, but also for their  loved ones. It is true, no one can ever love your loved one the way that you do. However, social interaction and a change of scenery are beneficial to mental and physical health. If you are like most caregivers, you have a family at home, a job, and other things on your plate in addition to caring for your family member. Additionally, most family caregivers care for their  loved ones without compensation. At some point, you’ll need a break. The great thing about respite care services is you can use them as you need, for  several weeks or months.

Respite services allow you to have someone else take over your caregiving duties, temporarily, to care for your loved one in your absence. At Marina Isle, we include your loved one in with our activities and outings the same as if they were a full-time member of our assisted living community. Our visiting seniors love the social engagement and ability-appropriate outings, which can be just as much a reprieve for them as it is for you! All of our staff are trained and skilled to assist your loved. Contact us to see what we can do for you and your loved one.

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Benefits of Respite Service

As we mentioned above, respite services are beneficial to both the caretaker and your loved one. Here are just a few of the benefits of using respite services.

Improves Mood and Reduces Social Isolation

Caring for another person is a full-time job, and one that most people do willingly and lovingly. However, this full-time task of focusing on the health and well-being of another person can detract from the needs of self. Respite services, whether used intermittently for just a few weeks at a time,  it offers both parties a change of scenery and a chance to interact with others. Taking some downtime can lighten the caretaker’s and the senior loved one’s mood, as well as offer some much needed social interaction with others.
At Marina Isle, we offer our respite guests the same activities and outings we do our full-time assisted living residents. From card games with other residents to ice cream socials in downtown Sanford, our residents get all the social interaction they need to boost their moods and prevent social isolation. Caretakers can rest easy knowing their loved one is well cared for in their absence.

Offers Assistance and Support

Using respite services offers the support and education that can help reinforce good habits and identify areas of weakness. Additionally, since respite services are offered by trained professionals, they can often identify subtle signs and symptoms of conditions that should be addressed before they escalate. Respite care staff can help caretakers feel like they have a support network and remind them that it takes a village to care for their loved ones.
At Marina Isle, we are happy to be your village. Whether you prefer respite services as needed or are interested in enrolling your loved one in our senior services, our staff are happy to offer your loved one the same great care we offer our full-time assisted living residents.

Prevents Caregiver Fatigue

As we have alluded to, being a full-time caregiver is a full-time job, one that can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Caregivers can become burnt out and empathy may begin to wane. This creates a bad situation for both the caregiver and their loved one they are caring for. Caregiver fatigue results in frustration delivered and even resentment of the loved one being cared for. To prevent this, it is important for caregivers to have some time to care for themselves and some downtime to replenish their empathy. Some signs of caregiver fatigue include:

• Feeling resentful
• Feeling tired or run down
• Overreacting to minor irritants
• Health concerns
• Engaging in bad habits — smoking, drinking, not eating or overeating
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Changes in personal hygiene
• Reduction in hobby participation
• Feeling helpless or hopeless

Respite  services allow for caregivers to have the opportunity to recharge and care for themselves to reduce caregiver fatigue or burnout.

At Marina Isle, our respite services are flexible and we can work with you to create a schedule that works for you and your loved one. We consider caregivers our most valuable resources and important patients. Let us care for your loved one for a while so you can care for you.

To learn more about our respite care services, contact us today.

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AVOID COMPASSION FATIGUE: TIPS FOR CARETAKERS

At Marina Isle, we understand the stress of being in the “sandwich generation,” taking care of both your children and your aging parents. This can be especially difficult for those who also attempt to manage a job and try to squeeze in hobbies, a social life, and being a committed partner in your relationship. Being pulled in all directions can lead to what is known as compassion fatigue or caregiver burnout. These conditions make it difficult to provide care to anyone — namely yourself and your loved ones — and make it difficult to apply your full potential anywhere. This stress can lead to resentment, anger, depression, and isolation. It can cause a rift in relationships and leave you feeling emotionally (and physically) exhausted. This is exactly why respite care services exist!

Sure, respite care is also great for allowing caregivers to attend special events, go on planned vacations, and continue working their normal jobs, but it is also useful for simply going grocery shopping, grabbing a cup of coffee with friends, or relaxing and reading your favorite book to recharge. Respite care services at Marina Isle are flexible and available in a variety of ways to suit your needs. When we are caring for your loved ones, you can rest assured that they are engaged in stimulating activities with other seniors and all of their needs are being met. We have many seniors who look forward to spending some time with us, just as much as their caretakers do!

Some other helpful tips to avoiding compassion fatigue include:

• Know the signs and be on the lookout
  • Exhaustion or fatigue
  • Reduced feelings of empathy
  • Dreading caring for your loved one
  • Irritability, anger, or anxiety
  • Depersonalization
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of judgment or decision-making skills
  • Problems in relationships
  • A decrease in hygiene or work ethic
• Set boundaries
• Accept help
• Eat well
• Practice self-care
  • Make time for your hobbies
  • Reduce time promised to other people
  • Do something every day for yourself
• Join a support group or make friends in similar situations — an extended support network
• Meditate, journal, attend therapy, or engage in some form of mindful reflection
• Engage in activities outside the home with your loved one
• Use as many helpful resources as possible to reduce the burden on you
  • Grocery order pickup
  • Meal delivery service
  • Housekeeper
  • Lawn service
• Establish routines that maximize your downtime — eg. bedtime for your loved one an hour or two before yours
• Use regular senior care or respite care services

The point is, don’t go it alone! Many people say they feel guilty or like they will make their loved one feel like a burden if they ask for outside help, especially from strangers. At Marina Isle, when you are here, you are family. We can be a part of your support network and extended family. We can help you and your elderly loved one achieve a caring, loving relationship that affords both of you the opportunity to relax and do the things you enjoy. To take advantage of our respite care services, contact us today!