The demands on a family who have a child or adult family member with a disability are often extremely challenging. Respite care offers these families a much needed break and allows their family member to continue to be part of our community. Respite is also about meaningful relationships that develop between the individual and respite caregiver. Often the respite caregiver becomes an integral part of the family.

A thank you tribute to Community Options

Community Options has made a commitment to provide quality community-based respite care for people with disabilities. Individuals and families have the choice of having their child or adult family member cared for in their own home or in the caregiver's home; which ever best meets their needs. What kinds of disabilities do the children and adults have? The disabilities of individuals receiving respite vary. All the children and adults have developmental delays; some individuals may have physical disabilities or have a history of challenging behaviours. We try to match people carefully according to the interests, abilities and experiences of all involved.

A respite caregiver assumes any of the usual daily activities that a parent or primary caregiver does. The majority of the training necessary to support the person with the disability is given by the individual and/or the parents/primary caregiver. A respite caregiver becomes a strong support to the individual and her/his family. Community Options offers on-going support to caregivers. Caregivers are remunerated for their time; payment is considered an honourarium.

Respect and dignity are integral to Community Options' philosophy. It is our goal that this philosophy be reflected in our approach to personal care. Community Options expects our caregivers to view dignity and respect as a priority when assisting with personal care. To foster this approach and to promote safety and protection for both the individual and caregiver, we ask that parents/primary caregivers complete a PROTOCOL for PERSONAL CARE (for any care which requires physical contact) with their children.

Because the protocol (in a booklet form) will reflect your son/daughter's unique needs with respect to ensuring her/his feelings of comfort, safety, and maximum independence, they will need to participate in establishing the protocol. Part of it speaks to caregivers seeking permission when assisting with any care: this idea may be new and it may take time for your child to understand.

We encourage you to begin this process so your child will be supported in being an active participant in her/his care. We want your child to have a relationship and feel comfortable with a caregiver before personal care happens. Thus, we ask that caregivers spend a significant amount of time with you and your child before providing personal care. We would like several visits to be arranged in what ever way works for everyone involved to be familiar and develop a relationship of trust.

The PROTOCOL for PERSONAL CARE outlines the routine of personal care which must be followed by all caregivers. We ask that you go through the protocol thoroughly with the caregiver to ensure she/he knows exactly what the child is expecting. Approved caregivers with Community Options expect to follow a protocol with regards to personal care or any other type of care your son/daughter requires. They are expected to maintain respect and dignity at all times.

The personal care protocol is one of several safeguards which must be talked about with your caregiver. Please consider all the support needs of your son/daughter which need to be met to ensure safety is maintained and respect and dignity honoured at all times. Go over those safeguards with your caregivers.

For information on Personal Care Protocol booklets for Children or Adults, or to order, please call our office at: 250-380-6363 or email us by clicking below.

info@communityoptions.bc.ca