‘Respite Home’ for the differently abled to give caregivers a break

Caregivers of the differently abled who experience very high levels of stress owing to unrelieved caring burden, especially if the differently abled are completely dependent on them for support, can now breathe a sigh of relief.

In a significant move, the Social Justice department is set to roll out ‘Respite Home,’ a scheme for providing temporary accommodation to the differently abled so that the caregivers can find time to attend to any emergencies, medical treatment, travel, or social gatherings or just take a brief break from caregiving duties.

Persons with autism, intellectual disability, and the differently abled who are bedridden need constant care from their families, putting the caregivers at high physical, mental, and social stress on everyday basis.

Temporary shelter homes for the differently abled will ensure their proper care and attention when the caregivers find themselves unable to do so owing to some emergencies.

25 to 30 inmates at a time

The differently abled will be accommodated at one of the three Respite Homes planned in the State. These homes will function directly under the Social Justice department. Only 25 to 30 differently abled will be admitted to a centre simultaneously for a period ranging from one to seven days for round-the-clock stay. If the stay needs to be extended owing to some exigency, special permission from the district social justice officer concerned will be required.

The department plans to start the first Respite Home for men at Pratheeksha Bhavan, a facility for men who have intellectual disability, that functions in Kozhikode district. The other two homes for men and women will be newly started in vacant buildings either with the local bodies or other government departments, or those taken on rent. The staff for the Respite Homes will be recruited by the Social Justice department.

The Social Justice director will constitute a management committee for the smooth functioning of the Respite Homes. The committee chaired by the district social justice officer concerned will include one representative each of the local body concerned and the District Collector, social activists, and home manager or superintendent.

Apply

Applications for stay up to seven days can be submitted to home managers.

The differently abled, particularly those who do not have adequate care facilities in their houses, can also spend their days at the Respite Home.

Managers can directly accept applications in cases where the differently abled are in need of daycare.