One Overlooked Benefit of Respite Assisted Living Care Is That it Allows You to Cling to Your Composure Again

January 20, 2022 by ·

It’s late at night. You just pulled in the driveway or parking lot of your house or apartment. You sit there for a minute with the engine off, listening to the silence. How long has been since you were able to enjoy a nice, quiet moment alone?

Not that you’re enjoying this moment. In fact, this particular moment is one you wish you could let slip away. Maybe you lost your composure. You snapped at your aging mother or father, whomever it is you’ve been supporting at their home.

You feel as though you’re losing control and even letting people down. People who are counting on you. You try to think back and can’t remember the last time you just had a break from everything. Between your full-time career or even several part-time jobs (to make ends meet), acting as a family caregiver to this aging senior, maybe raising children of your own on top of all that, you haven’t even talked to your best friend in weeks or even months.

When was the last time you took a nice, hot bath without interruption? Without the phone ringing? Without somebody needing you constantly? If you can’t remember the last time you were able to do something you enjoyed, for yourself, it’s time to think about assisted living.

No, assisted living doesn’t always mean a full-time commitment.

Assisted Living Saraland, AL: Respite Assisted Living Care

This is what so many people misunderstand about assisted living facilities. Now, keep in mind not all of them are the same, but for higher quality ones, when they have availability, they will offer respite care services in many cases.

What does this mean? It could mean the senior goes to the assisted living facility in the late afternoon or evening, sleeps there, and then gets picked up the next day to return home. It could mean spending a few days each week at that facility so their family caregiver, their spouse or adult child or other individual can focus on their own life.

It could also mean short term stays, like a week, two, or a few more weeks at a time at the facility.

Just because you feel like you’re losing control of your life doesn’t mean it has to remain that way. In fact, the more you know and understand about respite care services at a quality assisted living facility, the more you will certainly understand and appreciate the benefits it can offer.

How to find out what services are available?

Reach out and connect to a local assisted living facility. Find out what types of respite care options they have available. You will likely be surprised to learn there are many options to consider.

Suddenly, that solitary moment of silence in your car as the clock closes in on midnight and fatigue is washing over your body won’t be the only fleeting opportunity for you to spend alone or doing what you want, at least not moving forward.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Saraland, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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