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Respite Center to open January 2020
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Posted on Dec 31 2019
From left, Linda Torres, who heads the Respite Care Program, Eulalia V. Arriola, Ferlon Camacho, and Regina Terlaje. (Justine Nauta)
The Commonwealth Respite Service Program will be hosting its first open house for its Respite Center from Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, 2020, at Building 1354 Mednilla Avenue on Capital Hill, from 10am to 3pm.
According to Department of Community and Cultural Affairs spokesperson Eulalia V. Arriola, the open house intends to educate the public about the program, that the Respite Center will be available to all caregivers of all ages who are taking care of someone full-time at home. Their main focus is to let caregivers know that they are there when a caregiver needs them.
Arriola said the main focus of the program is to give temporary relief for caregivers. She said they will provide a program that will allow up to three hours per week for a person who registers with their program to have time to themselves while a professional takes care of the person that they’re caring for.
Respite Service providers will either go into a home during a scheduled time and relieve the primary caretaker for a period of time or utilize the Respite Service facility.
Their main purpose is to offer assistance to caregivers who don’t have time for themselves. According to Arriola, there have been cases where caregivers don’t take care of themselves and end up sicker than the person they’re taking care of. They hope to promote the importance of health and self-care for caregivers.
The Respite Service Program hopes to open another building where they will be offering classes such as cooking classes, gardening classes, yoga, painting and other activities that will bring relaxation to caregivers.
Respite Service programs have been proven to reduce abuse, especially elder abuse, and improve the overall care of children with disabilities and senior citizens who are being cared for full-time at home. Respite care services also improve the caretaker’s health.
