How Can Respite Help?

Time off is a must-have to maintain a balanced life. Caring for a child with special health care needs can be a tough task, both physically and emotionally. Everyone needs a break now and then – respite care is that break!

What exactly is respite? Respite is a short break or rest for families who have a child with special health care needs or disabilities. Respite is not a daycare service or long-term child care but it is  a very valuable resource for parents to get some well-deserved rest.

There are many benefits to using respite, including:

• Stress reduction.
• Time to spend with your spouse, other children or just time to yourself.
• Being able to have your child cared for in your home.
• Time to attend conferences, meetings and support groups.
• Being able to provide care during short-term emergencies.
• Let’s not forget! Time to DO NOTHING, but rest.

The Uniting Parents Family Respite Program allows you to take time off while your loved one is in someone else’s care.

Who is eligible for respite? Families receiving Uniting Parents services who are not receiving respite services from another source are eligible for respite services through the program.

Who is the respite provider? Parents may choose friends or an adult relative living outside the home to be the provider. It is the parents’ responsibility to screen providers and provide appropriate training to the provider based on their child’s needs.

For more information on the Uniting Parents Families’ Respite Program, call 806-337-1700 ext. 212 or (toll free) 888-892-2273 ext. 212 and ask for Maria Garcia.  For additional respite programs, go to Find Groups, Services & Events.  For more information on respite, see Respite Care on our Navigating Family Life page under Family Support.