NEWS TAKING A BREAK

Taking a Break (Advance May 26, 2002)

As a caregiver do you feel confined because the person you care for can’t be left alone, or can only be alone for a short time? Do you feel guilty taking time for yourself? Do you feel that no one can look after your loved one as well as you do? Does the person you care for ask you not to leave them?

Having time for yourself is very important for your own health and well-being. You need time to relax and feel refreshed so you can continue to look after your loved one. The person you care for might appreciate a visit from someone new or might enjoy being in different surroundings.

Respite: “ a period of rest or relief; a reprieve.” There are several different kinds of respite: a few hours, a day, or one week or more. The respite may be available in the home or the person needing care may go to another location.

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Even when you decide you want to have a break - be it a couple of hours or an extended holiday - do you ask a family member or friend? Are there others in the community who can help? Here are some ideas to assist you. Some of the programs have eligibility criteria and costs for the services , so phone numbers have been included for you to call for more detailed information.

1) Your Network of Family and Friends:

Perhaps family members have offered to help in the past but you have politely refused. Now is the time to give them a call or accept their offer next time. Is there someone from your church, neighbourhood or organization that can help out?

2) A Day Away:

This program is available for people who have a physical disability, cognitive impairment or are frail. It is available in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Parry Sound, Powassan, Burk’s Falls, Sundridge, MacTier, Dunchurch and other communities. Not only do you as a caregiver get a break, but your loved one can enjoy social and recreational activities, a nutritious meal and snacks in a safe environment. For information call the Adult Day Program Coordinator at 1-888-259-6661.

3) Home Health Care:

Perhaps the person you care for needs help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and feeding. These may be tasks that you do not feel comfortable asking a family member or friend to do in your absence. a) Fee for Service: There are businesses that specialize in providing this kind of care in the home. You can find them listed in the yellow pages of your telephone book under the headings Home Health Services and Nurses. b) Community Care Access Centre: The person you care for may be eligible for home care services that are paid for by the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care. For information about this program call Muskoka-East Parry Sound Community Care Access Centre at 1-800-263-2805 or 789-6451 (Huntsville), 645-6238 (Bracebridge), 687-7781 (Gravenhurst) or 382-2361 (Burk’s Falls). c) Veterans Independence Program: Respite is one of the benefits provided by this program to qualified veterans and their families. For information contact Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-800-668-5308 (Muskoka) or 1-800-465-0111 (Parry Sound).

4) Short Stays Away From Home: There are options here as well, depending on the amount of care the person needs and the length of stay. a) Retirement Homes: They can provide some assistance with activities of daily living. You can look for information in the yellow pages under the heading Retirement Communities & Homes. b) Long-Term Care Facilities (Nursing Homes): If the person you care for needs help 24 hours a day, a small number of beds have been set aside at long-term care facilities (nursing homes) for short term stays. You will need to book in advance. For information contact Placement Services at the Muskoka-East Parry Sound Community Care Access Centre, 1-800-263-2805 or 789-6451. c) Respite Units: The Friends operates a short stay respite program for adults at Oakwood Heights Apartments in Bracebridge. This unit is fully accessible and includes attendant care services. They also have a children’s respite program at Forest Hill Apartments in Parry Sound. For information contact The Friends at 645-3009, Bracebridge or 1-888-259-6661, Parry Sound. d) Relief Providers: If the person you care for is developmentally disabled, there are relief programs for both children and adults. For information contact Community Living South Muskoka at 645-5494. (They coordinate this service for all of Muskoka.)

5) Life Threatening or Terminal Illness: Hospice: During the final stages of a terminal illness, the family can call on community hospice volunteers for comfort and help. A trained volunteer can assist the family by providing companionship and temporary respite for the caregivers. For information contact Hospice Muskoka at 646-7677, Hospice Huntsville at 789-6878, Almaguin Palliative Care Team at 636-5893.

If there are other sources of relief that you know of or have used, please let us know.

You know that old saying - a change is as good as a rest - it certainly applies to caregivers. Give the caregiver you know the gift of time away from caregiving.

Caregiver Meetings: