Respite Care

For caregivers of individuals with disabilities, respite care provides them with the temporary relief necessary to sustain their own health and attend to other family members. Now that more children and adults with disabilities are able to live in a community setting (versus an institutional one), respite care is the most-requested service by their caregivers. Respite has been shown to help sustain family stability, avoid out-of-home placements and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect (Family caregivers survey, Commonwealth Fund, 2005). However, in Wisconsin, there is only an average of one respite provider for every 333 caregivers (Respite Care Association of Wisconsin, 2006).

Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps fill an essential and unique need, not only due to the fact that it is the only statewide provider of out-of-home respite for families in Wisconsin, but that it also provides high-quality care and support for individuals with disabilities.

During the 2008-2009 camp year, Easter Seals Wisconsin sent out a survey to all families using our respite services. Of the responses received, 75% of parents and caregivers reported having difficulty finding a respite provider outside of camp. Easter Seals Wisconsin staff pride themselves on accepting all campers with open arms. In the survey, 94% of parents and caregivers reported an improvement in their stress level, relationships and personal health management. In addition, caregivers are able to have peace of mind when leaving their loved one in the care of our trained staff and AmeriCorps members. Caring for an individual with a disability has many challenges; however, some of these can be alleviated by having dependable and quality respite care to turn to.

Below are a few of the many comments received from Easter Seals Wisconsin’s caregiver survey:

We are very grateful for the generous spirit of the individuals assisting at camp. The time our daughter is at camp allows us to focus on each other, rebuild relationships with our son and enjoy activities our daughter is physically unable to participate in. We adore our daughter, but the break from personal care and planning activities for her allows us time to reenergize and renew our spirit. When it's time for our daughter to come home, I can't wait to see her. I am so grateful that our daughter can experience camp and activities that other children enjoy. When I think back on her adventures, I am touched by the ‘can-do’ attitude the AmeriCorps members display in making dreams a reality. Thank you for the reality of respite.

Our daughter LOVES camp. She has a great time and is able to be herself there without expectations that she will be anything else. The staff at camp is always very welcoming and caring. We always feel we have nothing to worry about while she is at camp. It is a great time for her and a very relaxing time for us. We do not have family or friends who feel capable of caring for her, so this is our only break throughout the year and we look forward to these times.

Easter Seals Camp has given us a much needed chance for our family to regroup and recharge. Our son takes a lot of energy (physical, mental and emotional) from all family members. The break helps us reconnect and be ready for the weeks ahead. The time apart has also made all of us (camper and caregiver) realize how much we love and miss each other when we are apart.

I thank God for this camp! Your camp is the highlight of my boys' summer. (Both of my boys have severe autism and other severe disabilities.) Your camp is such a blessing to our whole family. My boys get a chance to go out and do activities that they can't here and get to be like other kids. They have so much fun and they talk about it for the rest of the year. This camp also allows me to spend a good deal of quality time with my other children that would not get that otherwise. Your camp helps out our whole family and it is such a blessing to know that my boys can be safe and happy and enjoy their special time there. Thank you so much!

We encourage you to contact us to find out how Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps can benefit you and your loved one.