Respite Care: Providing Short Term Care to Terminally Ill Children & Relief to Parents

If you are the parent of a child who suffers from terminal illness or from disability, there is no doubt you understand the extreme emotional and physical fatigue that can be associated with managing care of your child, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In an effort to alleviate the stress associated with caring for a disabled or terminally ill child, many parents are turning to the services of respite caregivers both in the home and in day care facilities.

Respite care has grown in popularity over the last several decades and provides for an alternative to institutionalizing a child who may be terminally ill or disabled. While it was once considered a service primarily given to those of the aging population, parents, today, are using respite care in their homes where sick children reside, allowing for some time for the parent to relax and recuperate.

Because the care of disabled or terminally ill child can be exhausting, can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety in parents, and impede upon the relations parents have among themselves or with other family and friends, respite care has provided a way in which these parents can alleviate the emotional distress, finding rest and relaxation for a few hours and then, ultimately, returning back to the care of their disabled or terminally ill child with a new sense of rejuvenation.

While most respite services are provided in the home, some parents are exploring the use of respite care facilities. Similar to a day care, respite care for children, can provide not only the medical support a child may need during the day, but also provide the child with engaging activities and a place in which to relax and connect with other children of their own age or health status. This, alone, can significantly boost the emotional and psychological health of a child. Still, for some families, the use of home respite care is the only option they wish to explore. While the child may not engage in activities outside of the home, using home respite care will still provide the parent or caregiver with a renewed and refreshed sense of being, ultimately leading to a positive impact on the child.