Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities face many challenges. As a result of cognitive and developmental limitations, they may often feel isolated from others. Isolation – both social and emotional – can have multifold negative impacts, loneliness among them. However, respite care can help.
Loneliness can trigger or worsen mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Consequently, physical health problems could also be exacerbated, cognitive decline may intensify, and the individual could be tempted to make poor lifestyle choices to include smoking, consuming alcohol, and ignoring physical activity.
Unfortunately, people who are most susceptible to loneliness are often young, unattached, socially unskilled, and have a myriad of personal vulnerabilities. Read our blog post Loneliness: What it Means for Individuals with Disabilities and How to Help to learn more.
Respite Care: An Important Resource for Families With Disabilities
Research has shown that improvements in the quality of relationships, community integration, and opportunities to openly communicate about social needs help reduce loneliness. Respite Care is a resource that combines social development, community integration, and support to combat isolation and loneliness.
Respite care is a key component of any caregiving program. It’s a service that provides support for family caregivers by providing temporary care for a loved one who needs attention and assistance. This support includes everything from supervision to engaging in social activities, community volunteering, and more.
The positives of respite care are endless, but one of the best things about it is its versatility. Clients can come for a one-time occasion or regularly, and may spend as little as an hour or a couple of weeks at the respite house. Check out our blog post Respite Care: Mental, Physical, and Emotional Benefits for Caregivers to learn more about how it helps family caregivers.
The Three C’s of Respite
Respite care is an incredible resource that offers many mental, emotional, and physical benefits to clients and their families.
- Connection: While at the respite house, clients have an opportunity to connect with other individuals, including their peers and caregivers. In addition to social interactions, clients can connect with hobbies and passions through classes and activities that are offered.
- Community: Being among their peers gives clients a sense of community. They are able to connect with their peers based on common interests, and also with the greater community when they venture out to volunteer and participate in fun events!
- Care: Not only are clients supported and cared for during their stay, but when their caregivers have a chance to get some much needed rest and relaxation, they are able to fulfill their responsibilities with a renewed sense of vigor. Respite care ensures that everyone – from the client to their caregivers and loved ones – feels their best.
Covey’s Customized Care
Covey’s respite program is unique in that we customize our care to each individual. Therefore, we offer both in-home and out-of-home respite services. Our atmosphere at our respite houses is inclusive, inviting, and encourages our clients to be interactive. Our staff of highly trained professionals and volunteers are here to ensure that both our clients and their caregivers feel supported.
Connect with us to learn more about our respite care and other services. We can’t wait to meet you!
