For Respite Providers
Family caregivers are the backbone of our long-term healthcare system, and respite care providers are an extremely critical element in supporting family caregivers.
Respite care providers are committed to delivering needed relief to family caregivers. As such, the characteristics of respite care listed here are the minimum expectations a client may anticipate:
- Respite care providers strive for a holistic approach to care, by working with the client and caregiver to understand and care for the whole person, not the disability
- Respect for human dignity, personal choice and control of family caregivers
- A creative and collaborative approach to providing respite care by blending the basic characteristics of a respite care program with the specific needs and desires of the family and client
- Respite care providers are an integral component of the continuum of care in any caregiving situation
As with many professions, respite care providers are typically trained by agencies with whom they are associated. Continuing education, while not state mandated, is strongly recommended to insure the most current regulations, medical information, therapeutic advances and care options are illuminated and understood.
The second edition of “Lifespan Respite Training Manual” is now available. This publication is intended for agencies and organizations to meet the basic requirements of lifespan respite care as supported to RCAW; and provides a framework for agencies to deliver ongoing training. To order a copy of the manual click on the order form here
Respite Care Association of Wisconsin offers customized training sessions for agencies and organizations on topics related to respite care. For more information contact Jim Schroeder, executive director at 608-222-2033 or via email jschroeder@respitecarewi.org