for people like Connie Connie is a bright, friendly, outgoing young woman with a mischievous sense of humour. She loves bowling, swimming, dancing, poetry, art and meeting new people. Connie, who is in her thirties, is developmentally challenged and has cerebral palsy, which has placed her in a wheelchair. She lives at home with her mother and sister in Mississauga. Connie loves to try new experiences and is involved in several community social groups. Eager to find someone who could accompany her on her many social activities, Connie was delighted to meet her Mary Centre respite worker. The two quickly hit it off and launched into a social whirlwind, including a day at the CN Tower, miniature golf and an overnight camping trip. Connie enjoys spending time with her Mary Center "buddy" and the traveling and socializing they experience together - and Connie's family enjoys the gift of time for themselves.

Respite

Respite helps to reduce stress and improve the physical and emotional health of families caring for an individual with a developmental challenge. This is why Mary Centre offers short-term respite to caregivers while providing support and supervision to those for whom they care.

Respite gives family members and other caregivers a short-term, temporary break from the daily routine of caregiving to sustain their own health and well-being. Time to take a vacation or just a few hours off. Time to attend to the needs of other family members. And, sometimes, a temporary haven in times of family crisis or ill health.

Mary Centre offers two choices of respite support.

In-home support enables developmentally challenged adults to stay in their own homes with the support of a respite care worker for a few hours each week. We match a trained staff member to the needs of the family and the personality and skills of the individual they will support. Together, they create a plan that works for everyone involved. This may range from developing social and life skills, such as problem solving or learning how to use public transportation, to participating in social and recreational activities, such as dancing or swimming.

Mary Centre also offers out-of-home residential respite in three locations. We have four respite beds at St. Bernard's Residence in North York. We also have one respite bed in each of our Leyton and Whitecap houses in Scarborough for seniors with developmental challenges.

Providing a break in the daily routine can reduce family stress, fatigue and burnout. Mary Centre not only provides caregivers with an opportunity to relax and care for themselves, but also provides the one who is cared for with opportunities to work on new goals and to build new relationships.

For more information about respite, please contact Tracey Berman, (416) 630-5533, ext 222.