If you are the carer for a relative in your home, it can be extremely tiring and harsh on the other relationships with people in your life. It can often be useful to have a holiday away from your caring responsibility to refresh yourself physically and emotionally, as well as give you an opportunity to reinvigorate personal relationships. Here are some options to make sure your loved one is cared for while you are away.

Informal at home care

One option is to organise a friend or family member to stay at the home and care for your loved one while you away. This is a very affordable option and allows your loved one to stay in a familiar environment. However, it can be a large load on a family member who is not used to caring duties, particularly if your loved one has complex medical or emotional needs. If you are not certain on their ability to care for your loved one, this can lead to extra stress for you, which can make your holiday less relaxing. 

In-home respite care

Another option is to contact a home care provider to organise in-home respite care with a qualified and experienced carer. This can be a great option as this carer will be qualified to deal with any medical issues that come up and you can rest assured that your loved one is well cared for. It also allows your loved one to stay in an environment that they are comfortable and familiar with, which can be particularly useful if your loved one has some cognitive decline (such as dementia) that makes them easily confused in new environment. You may be eligible for a rebate or allowance from the government for this option, depending on the exact nature of your loved one's disability and your care plan for them. Contact the My Aged Care program in your state to see if you qualify. 

Out of home care

Many nursing homes have facilities that allow people to have short residential stays. This can be a good option for some people with complex medical needs but it can be disconcerting for some people to move to a new environment even for a short stay. 

If you find that you need a short break from your caring obligations, it's a good idea to take that break and recharge. There are many option available to make sure your loved one is well cared for when you are away. Click here to learn more about this topic.