Why Choose Respite During Winter
Respite is a short-term care option for older adults who want to try out skilled nursing facility living full-time, give their caregivers time off, or need a place to recover after a surgery.
What’s Included in Respite?
24 Hour Around the Clock Nursing Care
Choosing respite means that older adults have care provided to them around the clock; including assistance with medications, wounds, medical devices, etc.
Engagement:
Providing a space for older adults to stay connected with one another, with their families, and with staff and caregivers.
Assistance With Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
Assisting with eating, bathing, dressing, and other essential tasks that must be completed every day.
Dining Experiences:
Preparing daily meals – or incorporating doctor-recommended foods into a meal – up to three times a day along with snacks.
If you’re noticing that daily tasks are becoming more difficult for your parent, consider talking to a skilled nursing facility liaison to see whether they offer short-term stay options. If they do, like Mitchell Hollingsworth, trying a short-term stay may be a great way to explore the start of your family’s next chapter.
Prevent the Spread of Flu and Cold
An added benefit of respite during winter is that it can minimize the transmission of the flu and common cold this winter. If a family member who is acting as a caregiver comes down with a fever, but still has to bathe or cook for an older adult, that older adult may catch the caregiver’s virus – which can be a serious health concern for seniors. A respite worker in a skilled nursing facility who’s flu-free and steps in for the caregiver, however, could perform the same functions while reducing the chances of spreading illnesses. Additionally, respite workers in a skilled nursing facility may set up vaccination clinics, which can help curb the prevalence of any viruses in that facility.
Ward Off Those Winter Blues
All the evenings spent indoors during the winter can make anyone feel isolated and melancholy. A case of the winter blues is distressing enough, but in memory care patients, those symptoms can manifest in a condition called "sundown syndrome."  As many as 20% of patients with Alzheimer’s have Sundown Syndrome, which may lead to anxiety, mood swings, and delusions.
For that reason, a professional at a skilled nursing facility can help older adults keep active and engaged with other residents – which can provide immense health and cognitive benefits.
Care for the Caregivers
Caregivers often fulfill their roles out of deep-rooted love and fidelity, but, like everyone else, they need time off to recharge and reset. Respite can help caregivers spend time with other friends and family, catch up on sleep, go to appointments with their doctors, or vacation in some warm climate during the winter to restore their energy.
Choose Mitchell Hollingsworth this Winter
The abundant activities and quality care available at Mitchell Hollingsworth make it a delightful place to call home year-round. But over the next few months, consider looking into our short-term stay options where guests enjoy a sampling of resident life.
