Why Respite Care is Essential for both You and Your Children

Respite care homes provide temporary relief for those who are caring for a family member who is in need of constant care due to special needs such as a physical or mental disability. For many parents or guardians of special needs children, the thought of sending them into care is a last resort, especially with the appalling treatment of residents at one care home in Bristol which were highlighted on BBC TV's Panorama programme recently. However it must be pointed out that cases such as this are an extreme minority, with the majority of care homes providing an excellent level of care with dedicated, hard working and enthusiastic staff who all realise the importance of their role in the lives of those they care for.

Respite care is designed to give the full time carers of those with a physical, mental or learning disability a rest period where they can take some time to themselves. The vast majority of carers are unpaid, often having to give up paid employment in order to care for their loved ones. Their working schedule is often 24/7 and can be both physically and mentally demanding. This hectic schedule gives little opportunity for time off and can lead to increased stress for the carer as they simply do not get the chance to relax.

Respite care is also highly important for the recipient of care too, as the opportunity to spend a few days in different surroundings, with like minded individuals under the supervision of dedicated and professional carers is an opportunity to make new friends and broaden their horizon. Such care homes often provide a variety of activities for people with a broad range of special needs. These could be simple activities such as gardening, music or art workshops to spending time in a dedicated sensory or activity room, something they wouldn't have access to at home. Many respite care homes specialise is a specific area of care such as care homes for physical disability, epilepsy care homes, autism care homes and sometimes respite care can even be provided in your own home.

If you're a carer for a child with a physical or learning disability than it's perfectly understandable that you may not be too keen on the idea of sending them away for a few days. Many autistic children have their comfort zone which they don't like to step outside of, and similarly so does the carer. However specialist autism care homes are aware of this and provide a variety of 'ease in' methods such as spending an afternoon at the home, before maybe staying for a single night which helps them acclimatise (for want of a better term) before spending a full weekend or week at a care home. This 'getting to know you' approach gives peace of mind to all parties involved; those in need of care, their full time carers and the care staff.

Soldiering on regardless without giving yourself a break from time to time is not fair on you or your loved one. You both deserve a break from the norm and sending a child with special needs for a few days away at dedicated homes there is not a sign of failure or weakness. In fact all children and adults need time on their own, regardless of whether they suffer from a disability or not as it's a natural part of growing up. Respite care is a gift, one which you both deserve.