Respite Services Needed By Disabled Children And Their Families

When a child who is disabled is in need of care at home, it is usually a parent who becomes the 24/7 caregivers. This is an extremely emotional and physically fatiguing undertaking. The effort to...

When a child who is disabled is in need of care at home, it is usually a parent who becomes the 24/7 caregivers. This is an extremely emotional and physically fatiguing undertaking. The effort to meet the needs of a disabled child can be stressful and can cause harm to other family relationships if it were not for respite care services.

Respite care gives those who care for disabled children a much-needed break from the constant responsibilities that they shoulder each and every day. It is the respite break that renews the caregiver, allow the caregiver to spend time with spouse or other family members, allows them to get other personal errands done or just to have time to themselves to have fun and to relax.

Respite care is an alternative to having the child institutionalized.

Parents who care for a disabled child are often exhausted, or feel guilty for all the time they give to the disabled child that may rob other siblings of time. Respite care services allows the parent to relinquish the caregiver responsibilities for a short-time and to devote time to other members of the family or to spend time pampering self and recharging their batteries so to speak so that they can be refreshed and ready to again take on their responsibilities.

There are many options open to parents regarding types of respite care. Respite care can take place in the child’s home, or it may be that the child can go to a day care center for respite services. These day care respite centers have the activities, social contact and medical assistance that these children need. The children meet other adults and form relationships with them, they are able to socialize with other children and participate in fun activities, including music and art. If the respite care takes place in the child’s own home, they may not be exposed to the socialization of other children but they do get to meet at least one new adult. They can also participate in activities with in-home care.

It is the responsibility of the parent to seek out the resources, and services of the community in order to receive respite care. Respite care is so beneficial for all involved including the child. The parent will be able to rest and achieve other interests and the child is able to form other bonds, learn new things and be the recipient of a well-rested parent when the parent returns.

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One Response to “Respite Services Needed By Disabled Children And Their Families”

1. Ana says:

   July 25, 2009 at 8:18 am

   Parents absolutely need a rest – see this short video (House of Wheels) for an overview of a facility in Jerusalem that provides exactly that. Very inspiring!

   http://explore.org/explore/middleeast/films/142