HouseWorks, a private in-home care agency, has seen an increase in demand for respite care services to give family caregivers a break from their demanding roles caring for seniors in their families.
“As the number of senior adults in this country grows, we’ve seen an increase in the number of adult children who find themselves split between their roles of caring for aging parents and parenting their own children,” said Mike Trigilio, chief executive officer of HouseWorks. “HouseWorks has had more requests for respite care from these individuals who are overwhelmed by priorities falling off their plates. Respite care gives family caregivers a breather by allowing them to shift some tasks of their to-do lists and have a chance to recharge.”
HouseWorks is not alone in seeing an increase in adult family caregivers who need help. A new study from AARP Policy Institute found that in 2021, about 38 million family caregivers in the United States provided an estimated 36 billion hours of care to adults who need assistance with daily activities. Anyone who is a family caregiver should take note of the economic considerations as well. According to the National Library of Medicine, a national survey found that income-related losses sustained by family caregivers ages 50 and older who leave the workforce to care for a parent are $303,880, on average, in lost income and benefits over a caregiver's lifetime.
Fortunately for family caregivers, respite care provides some semblance of sanity. Care can be tailored to each family’s needs and ranges from as little as a few hours a day to a couple days a week on an as-needed basis or on a schedule.
HouseWorks’ respite care Caregivers assist with meal preparation, transportation, light housekeeping, and similar responsibilities while also providing companionship to seniors. Respite care is a good solution for families during times of summer vacations, for work travel or for day-to-day help.
“Respite care is important for mental health and a family’s economic health. Caregiver burnout is real and can affect those caring for a parent whom they love,” Trigilio said. "Do not feel guilty if you are overwhelmed, burnt out or need help caring for a loved one. Respite care will give you the peace of mind that your loved one is well cared for and allow you to regain some balance so you can be at your best for whatever family priorities you balance each day.”
For more information about respite care services at HouseWorks, call 617-928-1010 or visit house-works.com/respite-care.
