Destigmatising Respite Care

Caring for your loved ones is one of the most rewarding but demanding roles you can take on. It requires constant physical and emotional stamina which is, unfortunately, often depleted. We see the incredible dedication and selflessness of family caregivers, but we also see the toll it can take.

Respite care is a great option for situations such as this. There is a lot of stigma surrounding respite care, but we believe that it is essential for caregivers to continue doing their best work sustainably.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a short-term or temporary stay in professional care facilities. At Mulberry, we offer this care service across three of our homes: Astley Grange, White Rose House and Southfield Court. These stays usually last from a few days to even a month.

There are a variety of reasons that temporary care is needed. Some people use repsite care as a way to trial a care home. This will allow you to determine if it is a beneficial place to move to permanently. It’s a great way for the resident to experience the staff, food and social community of the care home without the pressure of signing contracts or a stressful moving in day.

It can also be the best option for convalescence, if you are recovering from a hospital visit and aren’t quite ready to go home. Care homes provide a nurturing environment that is far less stressful than a hospital ward, where you can continue to receive the extra care and support that is needed to recover. This is also beneficial for hospitals that are overwhelmed with a large amount of patients requiring their care. Respite provides a convenient bridge between professional support and getting back to the comfort of their own home.

Respite care could also simply be helpful for those whose usual caregiver is unable to look after them for a short period of time.

Photo by Artyom Kabajev via Unsplash

A Respite Stay At Mulberry

We offer respite stays from a few days to several weeks, so no matter your situation, you can find the care you need. Just because your stay is temporary does not mean that you will be treated differently to our permanent residents. You will be invited into our community, enjoying the same activities, meals and medical treatment.

We understand that families often worry about neglect during short stays. This is exactly why our staff prioritises getting to know every resident’s likes, dislikes and routines so that your stay will be as beneficial and easy to transition into as possible. By mirroring your home routine, we ensure the transition feels natural and prevents the entire stay from feeling like a “settling-in” period.

Overcoming The Stigma

If you are a caregiver that needs a break from your patient for whatever reason, big or small, then don’t feel guilty about finding respite care. It is an act of love, not of neglect. There is a huge stigma that caregivers who choose to take a break do not truly care about their patients. This is completely inaccurate. You cannot provide the best care when you are exhausted, sleep-deprived, and stressed.

By taking a break, you are attending to your own health and giving yourself the energy to care for your patients. It is also a great opportunity, especially for people that live alone, to meet new people and try new activities that they cannot usually access. Not only will you be on top form when they come back to you, they will feel revitalised as well.

Even if you are using respite care temporarily for convalescence, there is a stigma that your care will be unnecessary. Do not feel as if you are taking up space. A hospital visit is a significant task, so seeking care afterwards is sometimes a necessity.

We understand that leaving your patient or family member in the hands of a stranger is a scary thought. If you need any advice, or you’d like to hear more about respite care, don’t hesitate to get in touch.