Steps to Take When You’re Planning a Vacation

Ten Easy Steps

At first, it may seem like more trouble than it’s worth to get a vacation respite care plan in place. Dealing with the reaction of your loved one, getting her list of needs together, emergency contacts, doctors, medicines, neighbors, instructions for the pet, the mail—all of this can seem overwhelming. But Innovative Nurses and Sitters will make caring for your elderly loved one as smooth as possible. We are experienced at all manner of senior services, and these helpful tips contain 16 years of on-the-job experience…

• Let your loved one know you are planning time off as far in advance of it as possible.
• Make sure you involve your senior in the planning phase of taking time off.  If you get his input and feedback in the beginning, it sidesteps the jolt of just announcing it.
• Be as frank and upfront with your elder as possible. Tell her how much time you will be away and who will be taking your place.
• Remind your loved one that you will be refreshed and better able to care for him when you return, and that a new caregiver in his life will be refreshing too.
• Leave old feelings of anger, rivalry or envy aside. Deal with the situation at hand.
• You and your aging parent make a list of the senior services she will need. Lay out the needs in black and white.
• Will the respite caregiver need any special skills, such as tube feeding, knowledge of transfer equipment or dementia training? Innovative Nurses & Sitters employs all levels of caregivers.
• Make lists of your elder’s medications, physicians, all emergency numbers and a local contact.
• If possible, make plans for a friend to stop by in your absence, or have some flowers delivered while you’re gone.
• If possible select a family member or friend to have temporary power of attorney in your absence.

Family caregivers are to be commended for their selflessness. Recognizing that even the best caregiver needs a period of respite and handing that blessing temporarily to someone else can be difficult. We know you want a safe, caring, professional caregiver, backed by a licensed, bonded agency to care for your loved one in your absence. Innovative Nurses & Sitters is here for you. We have over 16 years of experience caring for loved ones just like yours.

Respite Care: A Case Study

Katherine’s elder mother Fran is suffering from dementia. Katherine moved from Cincinnati several years ago to care for her in their family home. Fran’s condition deteriorated after a year and her care needs substantially increased. Committed to keeping her mother at home, Katherine began working more and more to keep her mother safe and content. Other family members, who had committed to help when needed, were not keeping their promises. Her church provided some support in the form of a pastoral visit or simple home repair, but Katherine needed a break.

A neighbor whose senior husband suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia, told Katherine about Innovative Nurses and Sitters. Knowing her mother’s negative reaction to new people and new things, Katherine was reluctant to bring in a caregiver.

Her neighbor reassured her that Innovative Nurses & Sitters has caregivers trained in dementia and Alzheimer’s. “Try it once”, the neighbor encouraged. “You don’t have to have them back if it doesn’t work out.”

Katherine called Innovative Nurses & Sitters. We met with Katherine and her mother, created an individualized service plan, and provided them with caregiver trained in dementia care. Katherine scheduled the caregiver twice a week for several weeks, then three times a week. When she was comfortable that her mother was secure and at ease with the caregiver, Katherine was able to take 2 weeks’ vacation. When she returned, she scheduled regular weekly breaks so she could return to doing some of the things she enjoyed: dinner with friends, an occasional workout at the gym, movies.

Whatever the case, Innovative Nurses & Sitters is a 16 year old agency that employs caregivers experienced in all types and levels of care. Let us help you put some spark and enjoyment back in your life. Call today.