Understanding the Differences between Day Care and Respite Care Services

Understanding the Differences between Day Care and Respite Care Services

January 14, 2021 0 Comment Category: Recuperative Care

Caregiving can be extremely demanding and can take a toll on your physical and mental health. It may feel like you are responsible to take care of your senior loved ones when they become ill or are unable to manage their day-to-day activities on their own. Yet when doing so, it is easy to forget about your own health and wellbeing.

It can be even more complicated when you have to juggle between your job and other commitments alongside ensuring optimal care for your loved one. However, you need to take care of yourself as well so that you can perform your duties as the primary caregiver more effectively. This is where respite care and day care options can help you. Nonetheless, there are subtle differences between the two, so you should have a clear idea of which one would be the best option for providing the best care possible to your elderly loved one.

Differences Between Day Care and Respite Care Services

Respite care services are meant to give you a short break from your daily caregiving responsibilities. You can avail respite care services for a couple of hours, an entire day, a few days, or a full week as per your needs. This allows you to take some time out to rejuvenate and attend to your other commitments. Some respite care services can be availed for even more than a week depending upon your needs.

Caregivers experienced at respite care offer full-time, all-inclusive care to your loved one. They will manage everything from medical care to assistance with daily routines like meal preparation, housekeeping chores, personal hygiene activities, etc. This can be of great help in both emergency and pre-planned situations. As all the needs of your loved one will be attended by a professional, you can relax and take care of your own physical and mental health knowing that they are safe and in good hands.

Day care is similar to respite care, as it allows primary caregivers to take some time out for themselves. However, this will be for a day at a time, unlike in respite care where you can hire professional care services as per your convenience. Regardless, adult day care will be an ideal choice if you need some extra support with daily routines, have to run errands on a particular day, or are planning to attend an event. You can drop your senior loved one at a nearby day care center and pick them up on your way back home.

Contact Horizon Recuperative Care to discuss your options.