Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Caregivers Deserve T.L.C. Too

Blog:  Week of 7/04/11

By Cathy Bisaillon

I admit that I used to down play the importance of respite for caregivers.  I likened it to the occasional babysitter that I used for my children, and I treated it as much more of a luxury than a necessity.

My first trip out to Easter Seals Camp Stand By Me changed my attitude forever.  It was a check-out day, where families and caregivers were picking up their children following a six-day session.  I remember one dad in particular; who I will call Mr. Camp.  “So, Mr. Camp,” I said. “How did you spend six days without having to worry about your son?  Did you and Mrs. Camp go to Hawaii or some exotic location?”  Mr. Camp’s mouth curled in a half-smile and he looked at me as if I had just fallen off the turnip truck.  “You don’t get it, Cathy.  This is the first break we have had in three years.  We took a nap, slept through the night, balanced our checkbook, and took our other son to a movie without having to leave the theater.”

Mr. Camp was right, I didn’t get it.  But I did from that point on.  Respite for a caregiver of a person with multiple needs is a life preserver.  It pulls them out of a continual cycle of tasks and worries and allows them to shore themselves up for what comes next.  All of the Easter Seals Washington programs provide respite in some form.  It is typically a hidden benefit, with the marketed service being child development, residential recreation, or employment.  It should not, however, be seen as a secondary benefit.  I am occasionally asked by our employees if we should provide respite for group home staff, as they are paid caregivers and may be “taking advantage” of our services.  Without blinking, I reply that we should embrace those opportunities, as the break that we give a routine caregiver may drastically improve his or her ability to patiently provide care.  Continual care-giving is exhausting, challenging, and often thankless.  I am not exaggerating when I say that respite services save lives and prevent abuse. 

We are all caregivers in some way at various times in our lives.  Our task is to recognize our limits, admit that we need a break, and to look for respite opportunities that will be mutually beneficial to ourselves and those we care for.  After we recharge our batteries, let’s remember to thank a caregiver – it may be just the shot in the arm he needs to get up tomorrow and start fresh.

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