What Is Respite Care? The Development of Disability Services Over The Decades on the Sunshine Coast

Caring for a loved one with a disability is a deeply rewarding experience, filled with love and compassion. However, it is also a role that presents unique challenges and demands significant physical, emotional and mental energy.

The continuous care and support required can take a toll on the caregiver’s well-being, and cause mental stress for the individual in care, making respite care an important avenue to consider.

At Lavender Co we strive to provide inclusive and supportive respite care on the Sunshine Coast, enabling family members or guardians to prioritise self-care while ensuring their loved ones are well cared for and enjoying their own independent respite.

In this blog, we will explore the meaning of respite care and its importance, as well as the potential challenges behind the term ‘respite’.

We will discuss the variety of disability day, short and long-term support programs offered at Lavender Co, which value inclusivity and place importance on the uniqueness of disability, rather than view it as a disadvantage.

What is respite care?

Respite care refers to temporary relief and support provided to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. It allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities, providing the opportunity to recharge, replenish their energy and complete any other urgent or personal tasks.

It also allows their loved one to experience independent activities and interactions with our trusted Support Carers and community members. This access to individual experiences helps to build life skills and independence.

Respite services can range from short-terms stays in specialised accommodation to in-home support, ensuring the individual with a disability receives proper care while their caregiver takes time.

Respite care on the Sunshine Coast is also available in the form of community based day activities, allowing you to provide your loved one with a day rich in skill-building and adventure-filled activities.

At Lavender Co, our Disability Day Program provides a great opportunity for you to relax, knowing that your loved one is in good hands, creating meaningful connections and having new experiences.

During our day programs, our guests are exposed to a variety of capacity-building skills such as cooking and creative arts workshops as well as activities including gardening, fishing, bush walks, beach or pool activities, shopping and musical expression.

Why is respite important?

Caring for an individual with a disability is a rewarding yet challenging experience. Without the right support and adequate breaks, providing disability support can have a huge impact on a person’s mental and physical state.

Respite care supports the caregiver’s well-being and helps preserve their own mental health. Allowing the caregiver to take time for self-care and focus on their own needs, and engage in activities that bring them joy and fulfilment, ultimately reducing stress and burnout in the long-run.

In the case that a caregiver is the primary carer, they often put in years of constant care, with 33% of carers providing support for 40 hours or more per week and 19% for between 20 and 39 hours (source).

Such an extended period of uninterrupted care is not sustainable, which highlights the importance of respite care. Giving carers a break enables them to nurture their relationships with their loved ones with disabilities by ensuring they have the energy and patience to provide quality care and support.

Aside from strengthening relationships, respite care connects caregivers with support groups, other families facing similar challenges, and professionals who can offer guidance and assistance. This network provides emotional support and a sense of belonging.

Respite care at Lavender Co is therefore not only beneficial to your loved one but also to you, allowing you to take as little as a day and as much as 14 days of rest to recharge your battery.

If our Disability Day Program or Short Term Accommodation service doesn’t offer enough support for your situation, our Supported Independent Living (SIL) program provides a long-term alternative. SIL means your loved one will receive supervision and assistance with daily tasks, while living onsite in purposefully-designed accommodation, allowing them to lead an independent life with confidence.

Challenges with the term ‘respite’

While the concept of respite care is invaluable, the term itself can be offensive and degrading. It implies that living with a disability is something unpleasant, reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Therefore, reframing the language used to describe these services, moving away from terms that suggest dependency or burden is important.

Emphasising the positive benefits for both caregivers and individuals with disabilities and changing the dialogue around disabilities and respite services has increased significantly over the past few decades.

How has respite care on the Sunshine Coast changed overtime?

Respite care on the Sunshine Coast has gradually shifted from institutionalised care to community-based support and inclusivity, focusing on creating personalised services for individuals that channel the importance of social integration, skill building, and independence.

Over the decades, society’s attitudes towards individuals living with a disability has evolved, leading to significant improvements in the quality of life and opportunities available to individuals with disabilities. The infographic below represents the changes made overtime in the realm of disability services, creating a more inclusive community that respects individuals of all abilities.

At Lavender Co, we aim to change the face of disability and further foster this shift towards inclusivity. We do not only prioritise our guests and aim to create long-term connections with them, we also place equal value on their family, and as such understand the importance of respite care for caregivers.

Don’t forget to look after yourself and take care of your needs too. Contact us today to discuss the various respite care options on the Sunshine Coast for your loved one.