Respite care
As a carer, it can be easy to put another person’s needs first and ignore your own. But looking after yourself is vital for your health and wellbeing. It also helps you do your best to care for someone living with younger onset dementia.
Make sure you have some regular time to relax or do something just for yourself. Try to get out regularly to meet friends or, if possible, consider an outing or short break. Access to respite can help you continue to provide care at home, too.
What is respite care?
Respite care is when someone else takes over caring, to give you a break to take care of yourself. It’s also a great opportunity for people with dementia to spend time with someone outside of their family and enjoy activities in the home or elsewhere.
Respite care for younger onset dementia
It’s a good idea to find out what respite support services might be available for the person you care for. That way, you can take time out, comfortable in the knowledge that they are being well looked after. Options may include:
- Flexible respite
- In-home respite
- Day centres
- Overnight cottage respite
- Residential respite.