You may be planning to age in place, but that doesn't mean you'll never need additional care. Seniors recovering from an illness or surgery or seniors whose caretakers are unavailable for a period of time may benefit from respite care.
An estimated 22% of Burlington's population is over the age of 65. With a growing aging population, we're seeing an increased demand for senior living accommodations, including temporary senior care.
What should you look for in a respite room? What are the benefits of receiving respite care services? Read on for our complete guide to securing temporary senior care in Burlington, IA.
You've always taken care of yourself or had help from loved ones who visit you at home. Why should you consider a short-term senior stay or recovery support services? Read on for the key benefits of signing up for respite care.
Let's say that a senior is recovering from hip surgery. Under normal circumstances, they're able to navigate activities of daily living on their own. However, they need to take extra medications and have limited mobility in the weeks after surgery.
In respite care, you'll receive assistance with ADLs until you're ready to go home. This includes help with things like grooming, dressing, and ambulating. It also includes meal preparation and medication management.
In some cases, respite care is equally beneficial to seniors and their typical caregivers. This is especially the case when you receive care from a personal loved one, rather than a professional.
Signing up for respite care can give your typical caregiver a much-needed break, allowing them to go on vacation, relax, or tend to other obligations. Intermittent respite care is a great way to prevent caregiver burnout, a form of exhaustion that can cause mental, emotional, and physical problems.
As the name suggests, respite care is a temporary form of assisted living. Many communities that offer respite care also offer other living options, including long-term assisted living.
Many seniors who seek respite care services do so to get to know a senior living community from the inside. This is a great way to determine if a community's culture and amenities are right for you before transitioning to long-term care.
If you know that you would benefit from respite care, the next step is deciding where to stay. Take a look at the top three things to look for when seeking a respite room in Burlington.
Before you book a respite room, learn about the staff members you'll be working with. What kind of training do they receive? How do current residents feel about their services?
Professional caregivers should be fully equipped to assist with ADLs and provide compassionate care for all residents. However, there is an important distinction between caregivers and medical professionals. While respite care workers can assist with medication management and set up transportation for medical appointments, they can't administer medical care on-site.
There's no reason why seniors in respite care shouldn't have fun. Before you settle on respite care services, take a look at the community amenities. A vibrant community will offer:
These programs not only keep seniors active, but they also create opportunities for socialization. For seniors, regular social opportunities can foster improved cognitive health.
Remember, there are many different senior living accommodations to choose from. You can often find respite care services through nursing homes as well as assisted living communities.
Unless you need round-the-clock medical care, you may find the private quarters in an assisted living community more comfortable. Having your own apartment allows for privacy and independence while still granting you access to professional caregiving.
You're ready to find the best respite care services in Burlington, but you still have a few more questions. Here are some of the most common questions that we receive about respite care and their answers.
Respite care is meant to be a short-term accommodation. Many communities will impose a maximum stay limit on respite care residents.
This is often somewhere between one and eight weeks, after which you would need to discuss long-term assisted living options. The best way to find out more is to talk directly to the community you're interested in.
The cost of respite care generally covers your room, access to care, and amenities like dining. Exact costs vary from one location to another, and you can often request an estimate before signing up.
Most residents use a combination of savings, long-term care insurance, and retirement funds to cover respite care costs. Medicare will only provide coverage for respite care if it is part of the recipient's hospice plan.
It's natural for seniors aging at home to feel hesitant about things like respite care. The best way to decide if it's right for you is to have open, honest conversations with your caregiving team, including family members and doctors.
Respite care is ideal for seniors recovering from illness or surgery, who may need increased care during that time. It's also ideal for seniors who receive care at home but whose caregivers need a break. Remember, with the right community, respite services can be both beneficial and fun.
Booking a respite room is a great way to get the temporary increase in care that you need. Use this guide to streamline the process of finding a great community with respite care services.
Addington Place of Burlington is proud to offer tiered care services, from respite care to memory care. Our staff members not only provide necessary assistance for our residents, but they also strive to make our community enjoyable and exciting. Contact us to learn more about our available respite rooms.