Respite Care: A Home Away from Home
By Jess Duffy, Seventy-Five State Street Nursing Director
Shine On by Julie Bernier
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines “respite” as an interval of rest or relief. For seniors who are considering a move to an Independent or Assisted Living Community, respite care can serve as a nice way to try out the experience and see if the community is a good fit for their interests. Respite care can also offer the care and assistance seniors need to recuperate after a hospitalization, while receiving cancer treatment, or after surgery.
In some cases, a senior’s caregivers may have travel plans (or just need a little downtime), and respite care can provide the support that seniors need while they are away. Perhaps a senior is looking for an additional layer of end-of-life support, but they do not qualify for care in a hospice setting: a supported senior living community or a short stay in respite care may be the perfect thing. For seniors who have enjoyed a lifetime of vacationing on the Maine Coast, respite care can offer a supported way to enjoy Maine for a summer vacation!
Regardless of the reason, respite care provides universal benefits.
Seniors can receive the day-to-day support services that they need with personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation, and the activities of daily living, while having access to social stimulation, community engagement, and 24-hour nursing care.
A large team of committed professionals will support your respite stay. A dedicated Health Services Team, comprised of nurses, caregivers, and a social worker who are trained to help with medication management, vital signs, transfers, whirlpool and/or shower assistance, incontinence care, and monitoring of your overall health and wellness. Members of the Dining Team will make sure you are well fed from a restaurant-style menu. Housekeeping and Maintenance Teams will help to make sure your room is clean and in perfect working order, as well as helping with your laundry.
Respite care is a short-term stay in supported senior living with a holistic approach that provides comfort, convenience, and essential care.
Content Provided by Seventy-Five State Street
