Respite Care in the Portland, OR and Surrounding Areas

Our Comfort Keepers give you a break from providing care so you can rest, recharge, or focus on other important matters.

Caregiving can be a rewarding and bonding experience within a family, yet in even the best situations, the responsibility and ongoing routine can be stressful and tiring—especially when balanced with a job or caring for children. 

When family caregivers are emotionally drained, they are likely less effective at playing this critical role. Comfort Keepers® can provide respite care or temporary relief to those who care for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home.

Relief With Respite Care

Respite care services can provide temporary relief for those who act as a primary caregiver to a friend or family member. Respite care allows you to take that much-needed break you may need from the demanding caregiving duties you have been providing your aging, sick, or disabled loved one.

There are different types of respite services, including in-home respite care, which can be provided by care providers and home health aides in the comfort of you or your loved one's own home, easing the stress of leaving your family member to take your break.

There are many reasons why family caregivers turn to Comfort Keepers for respite services. Whether you are seeking a caregiver for a vacation, or just to relax for a few hours - respite care can help prevent you from enduring caregiver burnout. Additionally, the loved one you are caring for might also appreciate the change of routine.

As a caregiver, it is essential that you are also preserving your own well-being - both your physical and mental health, and you should never feel selfish about needing time for yourself.

What is Respite Care?

Known in some countries as “short break” care, respite services provide planned short-term breaks for families and other unpaid caregivers who need time outside the home or to simply take a rest. Respite care helps support and maintain the primary caregiving relationship.

Knowing When You Need Respite Care

While those close to you may see that you are desperately in need of at least a short-term break from the demanding duties of caregiving, it can be difficult for you to come to terms with it yourself. 

At Comfort Keepers, we understand that when you're the primary family caregiver, the idea of putting your loved one in a nursing home or adult day care can be a daunting prospect - especially if you're caring for a senior with special needs who requires a particular care plan.

Whether you feel that your caregiving routine is too difficult to explain, or worried that your loved one won't receive the personal care help that they need - we can assure you that we can provide a care program to fit your needs, whether it be long-term care or short-term.

How Comfort Keepers Can Help

Respite care services give you time to leave the home for a few hours or even a few days, knowing the one you care for is in good hands.

This creates time to:

• Take care of the errands you never seem to have time for
• Catch up on your shopping
• Attend a support group meeting
• Visit doctor or dentist for routine medical care
• Give yourself a much-needed rest

Comfort Keepers respite services can be scheduled for as little as a few hours a week. Additionally, around-the-clock care can be arranged so you can take a longer break to attend a wedding out of town, take a child to college, or go on a much-needed vacation.

Benefits of Respite Care

Many family members are eager and willing to help their loved ones who find themselves in need of assistance with daily care. These family members begin their duties with enthusiasm and love that can bring them even closer to the loved one in their care. At times, however, being depended upon for constant care of a loved one can become frustrating and stressful. Instead of becoming closer, the relationship begins to break down because of the overwhelming obligation. This is where professional respite care can provide the help the family needs to give each person what they need to maintain relationships and quality of life. 

Respite care benefits both caregiver and care receiver by offering breaks in care that enable the caregiver to be revitalized or attend to other duties. Frustration and stress is evaded, and the loved one receiving care feels better knowing they are not a burden. Professional in-home care allows caregivers to take the time they need for themselves or other responsibilities with the peace of mind that their loved one is in good hands. 

Respite care is an ideal way to introduce a new caregiver to your family in preparation for a time when 24 hour care may be needed. With a customized in-home care plan, you may begin with respite care for a few hours each week. This time can be increased as needed with everyone in the family already comfortable with your loved one’s professional in-home caregiver. 

The benefits of respite care should not be underestimated. It is a common misconception that family care is free, while professional care comes at a cost. The benefits to harmonious family relationships, especially when there is limited time remaining with a senior loved one, are truly priceless. 

Costs of not having respite care can include more than added stress. Detrimental effects on the health of both caregiver and the senior in their care are possible when burnout occurs. Caregivers may also spend more money on convenience services for their own family because they are worn out by their caregiving duties. When considering the costs of respite care, be sure to include additional expenses that are being incurred because you do not have the breaks you need. 

For peace of mind, good relationships, and optimized quality of life, choose professional in-home respite care for your loved one and enjoy your time together.

Let Comfort Keepers act as a resource center and help guide you through respite care and other in-home care services. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help care for your family member and provide you the peace of mind that you need.

Contact us today at (503) 643-2010 to learn more about respite care costs and any other questions you may have about home care services.