Whether you or your loved one has had an unexpected accident, a major health event such as stroke or heart attack, or has to undergo major surgery, there can be times when care needs go beyond basic recovery needs. Around 20% of patients will experience post-op complications, according to a study from Current Anesthesiology Reports. Recovery after an accident or surgery is a crucial time. It can be hard to look after yourself or your loved one during this time. In fact, it could even be detrimental.

 

Exploring caregiver respite options can help. Whether it’s in-home care or at a dedicated facility, you or your loved one can look forward to significant benefits:

 

 

For post-operative recovery or healing from a major health event, trying to go at it without professional help could mean you accidentally pop a stitch, take a fall, or get an infection. Even when you have help from family, there’s still a risk.

 

Simply put, unless a family member is a certified health professional, they could end up doing more harm than good. Short-term caregiving is a professional pursuit. The extensive training that caregivers receive makes all the difference in positive outcomes for recovery.

 

 

Wanting to help a family member recover after surgery or injury is an admirable thing. And even when a family member is a trained professional, there’s another important factor to consider in leaving it to other professionals: caregiver fatigue. Whether someone is a professional or not, the physical and emotional strain of helping a loved one recover can be too much for a lot of people. According to Healthline, caregiver fatigue can manifest in such ways as:

In extreme cases, burnout can lead to dependence on alcohol or drugs, and may lead to further impairment that could mean a slip up during a crucial moment of care.

 

Respite care can help family members to avoid caregiver burnout. Having a professional caregiver can help family dynamics remain strong, allowing family members to be loved ones rather than full time caregivers. 

 

 

The value of simply helping during an already stressful situation like recovery can’t be overstated. According to the Ace Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute, stress can increase recovery time after injury or surgery by 25 percent or more. Respite care benefits go deeper than what you see in the day to day.

 

Knowing you’re in the hands of professionals and being able to focus solely on healing can have a profound effect on recovery speed. That’s why respite care services can cover everything from day-to-day tasks to physical therapy (depending on the care team and/or facility at your disposal).

 

 

Thankfully, you don’t have to look far for respite care excellence. ComForCare has a dedicated team of health professionals that can make your recovery period as easy as it can be.

 

Contact us today to speak with one of our dedicated team members about what respite care options would work for you or your loved one.