All too often I see parents who believe they have to do this all on their own. They feel guilty for “phoning off their needy or behavior ridden child” on to someone else. Believe it or not, there are people out there who love to give you a break and enjoy your children, behaviors and all, many of them very well trained to deal with your child’s situation. Not only is it important for the parents about the children also. How to does one expect to have the patients, the ability to think straight and provide the best care for their child when one anxious, exhausted, stressed and burnt out? “A recent Commonwealth Fund study reported that 60 percent of the family caregivers surveyed, ages 19-64, reported “fair or poor” health and one or more chronic conditions or disabilities, compared with only 33 percent of non-caregivers.” A parent’s health physically, mentally and spiritually is essential to providing the best care possible for their child.
Some of the benefits to utilizing respite care include:
Saving your relationship and your health
Providing care for your child can be very demanding and stressful, which no one is equipped to do on their own without help. So much of a family’s time with a child who has special needs is spend providing support for activities of daily living, caring for, and getting kids from one appointment to another during the day. By night often time is spent researching /learning about the child’s diagnosis, what are the best practices, and agonizing over their stretched budget, which leaves little time for relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.
Respite care gives you a short break to relax, revitalize and regain your perspective on the world around you, allowing you to be better equipped to handle your child in challenging situations later. To expand on that the break allows parents to work on their relationship, or connect with friends and family as isolation is often a huge issue for care providers of any sort. It also gives a break from the daily routine and allows parents to do things they love, giving them a sense of self again. Whether it is laying on the beach with a book, painting, or running ten K, it all contributes to their overall happiness.
Benefits for Your Child
I can’t speak for all children but the ones I take for respite care are excited that “Kat is coming”. I, like many respite caregivers, take the kids to do fun things, new things, things that Mom and Dad don’t always have the time and energy for. It also teaches children that they can ask for help and trust other adults besides their parents. The last thing I think it does it allows a child to miss their parents, even just a little so they remember how lucky they are.
On a personal note, I work with some of the most challenging kids during the week and I still enjoy respite care because it is way more relaxed. I can enjoy the kid’s company without having to check a box, meet a goal, and best of all if the child doesn’t want to do something and expresses that appropriately, we don’t. We make a new plan together.
There are many government agencies like children and families, Human resources and there are also local organizations like Community Options (http://communityoptions.bc.ca/services/childrens-respite-care/) to help you find the best care for your child. Often if you contact organizations like ACT BC (https://www.actcommunity.ca/) or your local children’s therapy center for respite information.