For millions of Canadians who are care partners, it’s unlikely they’ll have a “silent night” this Holiday season. The holiday season is centred around family, friends, food, and the spirit of giving. But unfortunately, care partners often don’t have the time or energy to give any part of themselves to others aside from the person who they are responsible for providing 24-hour care.
If you’re a care partner, you deserve support—not just during the holiday season—but throughout the year. Luckily, there are structured care programs in place for overnight respite care. Keep reading to learn more.
The Strain of Caregiving During the Holidays
The holiday season presents additional challenges for care partners due to the added demands of preparing for the holidays. With visiting family members, friends, and neighbours, it can be tough people living with Memory Loss to adjust to a change of pace or changes to their daily routine. For some individuals, even the slightest change can cause undue stress, confusion, and anxiety, which can lead to frustration for everyone involved.
Respite care can lighten the burden of finding the time and energy that care partners lack during this time of year.
The Significance of Respite Care
Respite care is short-term relief from the care of others. Primary care partners provide special care and/or emotional care to those who need assistance such as people living with Memory Loss.
Respite care short-term stays in Memory Care environments offer a safe and secure arrangement for both people involved. The person living with Memory Loss receives compassionate and comprehensive care while the care partner has the opportunity to recharge and engage in self-care.
Addressing Care Partner Burnout
Care partner burnout exists. In fact, it is recognized as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced when providing care for another person. The care partners of those living with a form of Memory Loss are at risk for a number of physical and psychological issues. Burnout can cause fatigue, irritability, frequent illness, gaining or losing weight, headaches, and feelings of hopelessness and social isolation.
The holiday season is a busy time for most people with shopping, wrapping, and extra cooking preparations being done on top of regular daily activities and responsibilities. Respite care can help reduce the risk of the above-mentioned symptoms by providing a “break” or “time-out” from the regular demands of caring for someone.
Care partners need to engage in support from others whether it is through professional respite care, family members, or friends. Other options include simplifying the holiday activities, streamlining the meal preparation for the big day, and starting new traditions.
Memory & Company’s Overnight Respite Care
As the world’s first Respite Hotel, Memory & Company offers a 24-hour, 7-day a week service for people living with Memory Loss and their care partner(s). Our respite care programs focus on the individual care of those living with Memory Loss due to dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, and/or a brain injury.
We are a team of licensed Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Personal Support Workers (PSW), social service workers, recreational therapists, and kinesiologists. We have extensive knowledge about the effects of Memory Loss and gerontology.
As professional care partners, we understand the importance of respite care and the positive effects it can have in improving the lives of both care partners and the person living with Memory Loss.
What to Expect at Memory & Company’s Overnight Respite Care
Memory & Company’s short-term respite care programs focus on the personal needs of the individual living with Memory Loss as well as provide support the care partner(s). Our 24-hour supervised respite care programs in Oakville and Markham include access to our Premium Day Programs regardless of length of stay. All Members can participate in a full range of personalized programming, including cognitive and physical fitness, socialization, and music, pet, and art therapies.
Our accommodations also include meals and snacks prepared by our Executive Chef, personal care assistance, and laundry and housekeeping services. Members also receive medication management and nursing care by our licensed RNs and RPNs with a physician on-call 24 hours day. Both locations offer lab and pharmacy services as needed.
Benefits of Memory & Company’s Overnight Respite Care for Care Partners
Memory & Company provides peace of mind that your loved one living with Memory Loss is being well cared for in your absence. This benefit alone can help reduce the stress endured by care partners, particularly during such a busy season.
The high level of care we provide allows care partners to engage in personal relationships, social activities, and finish last-minute holiday preparations. Many care partners often feel that there is never enough time for relaxation, appointments, errands, chores, and self-care when dedicating themselves to caring for someone living with Memory Loss.
Memory & Company’s mission to care partners is to offer support through our respite care, so that you can maintain a balance in your life.
Learn More about Memory & Company’s Overnight Respite Care Program
Care partners can receive support through Memory & Company’s overnight Respite Care program with our short-term accommodations in Oakville and Markham. At both locations, we have the highest standard for compassionate care, as well as 24/7 medical and social programs lead by certified and experienced Team Members. We offer an array of programs to provide respite for Alzheimer’s care partners and those living with the disease.
Call us today at (905) 888-8808 or email us at info@memoryandcompany.com to book a personal tour.
