11/08/2016
All carers without exception find that this is a job which takes its toll, not only physically, but emotionally. Even those who have been in the industry for many years will find that sometimes they need a break. Somewhere that is away from being committed to another person 24 hours a day for weeks on end. They will need a change of scenery and a rest.
Taking a break is not only good for the carer but also for the person you care for. It will give them a chance to meet another carer and perhaps have a different routine. You should never feel guilty at leaving your client. This is tour opportunity to recharge your batteries and take a well deserved rest. You are more than likely tired. It is better to take time off and recoup than to carry on in an exhausted state.
How Much Time Off Do You Need?
This will depend entirely on the carer. Some carers manage to get by on two hours off a day, and others have 14 hours off over a weekend. This is entirely dependant on the situation where you are caring. Whatever the routine you find yourself in, be sure to take advantage of your time off. Use it in whatever way pleases you. Visit a museum, or friends, take a walk in a park. More importantly, exit the scene for a while. Get away and have a change of scenery.
More than likely your agency will have organised this already and a relief person will be in place by the time you arrive. Should this not be the case, you can find organisations to help you in this. Your local council will have a Social Services Department who will be able to arrange some relief. You might even ask the family if they would consider relieving you. The district nurse is always a good place to start with any query you might have. She is a mine of information and it is a good idea to have her number at hand.
Social Services are able to offer respite care if this is needed for a longer break. They will carry out an assessment to see what type of help is needed and implement a plan to cover this. This also goes for disturbed nights when the carer does not get enough sleep. Be sure to contact them and explain the situation, they will advise you and offer a relief plan, even if it only covers two nights a week.
A carers assessment will consider the following points:
All these points are taken into consideration when you apply for relief through social services.
Different types of respite care available.
Residential Care is where your client will spend time in a care home while you have a break. This could be up to two weeks. This is until you resume caring for them.
Day Care is where you get a whole day off in lieu of no breaks taken in the week. You then get to have a longer period of time out to do as you please. The client is usually taken care of by family or friends, or even goes to a day care centre so you may have time off.
Night Service is where you are having too many night calls deemed good for you. Perhaps you client has dementia and calls every half hour as she has forgotten that she just called you. Social Services will arrange a night carer who will take care of the nights while you sleep and are then fresh for the day. Some counties only allow two night call reliefs per week, you will need to check where you are.
Holidays
Many agencies have a holiday scheme in place when they employ you and you must check this out to be sure before accepting any work. While you are on holiday, the agency will arrange a relief carer to stay with your client until you return. Some agencies have a holiday package whereby you are paid during that time and others do not. Best to check this out. Be sure to thoroughly research the agency you are going to sign up with.
Finally, remember that whatever the client situation, it is important that you as a carer have time for yourself. You will not be able to carry on indefinitely if you do not, and will become a danger not only to yourself but to your client.
