The Special Needs Child and Respite Care
The support given by respite care is often
what enables a special needs child to remain living at home when
the required care is extensive. The home care and supported living
services includes occasional respite services that support the
caregiver in her or his role of caring for the child.
Respite care is a blessing for caregivers of a child with special
needs. Respite care gives periodic support and on-going assistance
for families with a special needs child. The child may have
physical, mental, emotional or cognitive challenges that require
careful care and monitoring by an adult. Respite care takes the
pressure off of the parents, helps to give the child a chance to
socialize with peers and other adults outside of the family and
gives the family a needed break from the responsibilities of caring
for a child with special needs.
The support given by respite care is often what enables a
special needs child to remain living at home when the required care
is extensive. The home care and supported living services includes
occasional respite services that support the caregiver in her or
his role of caring for the child.
Respite care gives the main caregiver a break so that they can
get personal errands done, or to pamper themselves with a haircut
or manicure, or a chance to go to church, or out shopping without
the worries of caring for the child. Respite care allow the
caregiver to recharge and relax knowing that the child is cared for
by respite workers who are knowledgeable and qualified to give the
cared needed.
Respite care can take place in the home or in day care
facilities, or special community programs set up for the purpose of
respite care. Sometimes other family members, by church volunteers
or by neighbors, do the respite care. The caregiver is not the only
one who benefits from the respite care. The child also benefits
because the horizons are broadened and the child is exposed to
various social situations, and to others who can enrich the child’s
life.
Respite care can give the caregiver the opportunity to attend church, have a pedicure, go shopping, or go to a medical appointment. Respite gives the caregiver a break to attend to personal matters, to re-connect with other loved ones and to spend time away from the responsibilities of care giving that allow the caregiver to be renewed and re-energized. The caregiver can go out to eat or to see a movie, take a much-needed nap, or visit friends and family members.
Care for Cargiver
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Each child has a unique set of circumstances that varies from
other children and these individual needs will dictate the type of
respite care that will be appropriate. Some children have extensive
medical needs that will limit the type of respite care to those
services that are capable of meeting the medical needs of the
child. Other children do well in day care centers, or other respite
programs. The parents can receive advise from the pediatrician as
to what respite services are appropriate in their community.
As the child ages, the respite needs will change. There should
be periodic assessments made as to the needs of the child and how
the respite care plan can be modified to meet those needs.
Issues with Caregivers
02/02/2012
The CareGiver Partnership Recognizes American Heart Month With Tips for Managing Incontinence Related to Heart Disease
Since 1963, February has marked the celebration of American Heart Month, when American Heart Association volunteers share information about heart disease and stroke and raise funds for research and education. According to The CareGiver Partnership, a national retailer of incontinence products and resource for caregivers, heart-related illnesses and medications can contribute to incontinence ...
The CareGiver Partnership Recognizes American Heart Month With Tips for Managing Incontinence Related to Heart Disease
02/03/2012
Caregiver support group to meet
A Caregiver Support Group, led by Joan Brubacher, LSCSW, of Prairie View, will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9. This month's meeting will cover “Anticipatory Grief.”
Caregiver support group to meet
01/23/2012
Hiring a caregiver requires research
When my father was diagnosed with lung cancer 12 years ago, I was faced with the prospect of hiring a caregiver for him.
Hiring a caregiver requires research
02/01/2012
VA Caregivers Support Line Celebrates First Anniversary
On Feb. 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs will mark the one-year anniversary of the toll-free National VA Caregiver Support Line, 1-855-260-3274. The support line’s dedica
VA Caregivers Support Line Celebrates First Anniversary
02/03/2012
Lehigh listed as one of Hope caregiver support groups
Caring for a loved one who is seriously ill one can be one of life's greatest challenges. To be an effective caregiver, it is very important to take care of yourself.
Lehigh listed as one of Hope caregiver support groups
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