Get Creative About Respite

1
Get Creative About Respite

• Department of Public Health commissioned the
  manual to address respite needs of CTs citizens
• For more information about the manual, respite,
  or to schedule a respite training contact
• Ann Gionet, DPH
• 860-509-8081
• Materials available on the web at
  www.dph.state.ct.us

2
Get Creative About Respite

• Developed by
• The CT Lifespan Respite Coalition, Inc. (CLRC)
• Special Thanks to
• The Family Health Division of the Department of
  Public Health
• Resources
• Yale CSHCN Center
• CCMC CSHCN Center
• Infoline 211

3
Introduction

• In a 2003 survey of caregivers
• 58 get less than 5 hours per week of in home
  relief
• 68 said that their health has been affected due
  to stress
• Many indicate that divorce is a side effect of
  this stress
• 22.4 used planned respite while 36.6 did not
  receive respite.
• 39.5 of respondents indicated they needed, but
  did not receive emergency respite.
• Needs Assessment Report Prepared for the
  Connecticut Department of Public Health.
  Children with Special Health Care Needs, Prepared
  by MATRIX PHC December 2003

4
A Parents Guide

• Managing stress
• Do you need respite care?
• Types of respite care
• How to find a respite provider
• Informal community supports
• Selecting a respite provider
• Preparing for respite
• Time for RESPITE!

5
Child/Adolescent Guide

• The basics
• Emergency Information
• My home
• My medicine
• My health
• My day
• Things I many need help with
• My story

6
Results to date

• Families learned from other families experiences.
• Respite solutions can prove to be a win/win for
  the caregiver as well as person with special
  health care need.
• Families found creative ways to stretch their
  respite funding.
• After attending the training families thought
  about respite solutions as part of their weekly
  routine instead of once or twice per year.

7
Respite Success Story

• Young adolescent Big Brother attend Boy Scout
  meetings.
• Self-image for the youngster improved - cool
  friend.
• Youngster was able to be with peers in the
  community.
• Go to dinner after the meeting.
• Mom, the primary caregiver, has weekly planned
  respite from end of school to 700 PM every
  Monday!

8
GET CREATIVE ABOUT RESPITEavailable on the web
at www.dph.state.ct.us

• For more information about the manual, respite,
  or to schedule a respite training contact
• Ann Gionet
• Department of Public Health
• 860-509-8081