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Back to SearchUpdate: February 3, 2022
We are no longer able to offer the temporarily increased amount of out-of-home respite care. As directed by the province, CHEO is returning to its regular level of service, which means the redeployed staff who were offering the additional out-of-home respite are now returning to their regular duties.
OTTAWA — Amid the increased pressures of the pandemic, CHEO is adding resources to five popular programs that provide out-of-home respite and in-home care — as a way to support families of children and youth with developmental disabilities and medical complexity.
Starting this weekend, CHEO’s expert staff are being redeployed to provide in-person programs and services to children and youth, while allowing families a bit of recharge time. CHEO is also working with its home-care partners to provide more in-home respite.
The respite programs and services we’re temporarily bolstering
In-home respite care
- Extra Personal Support Service hours for existing home care patients, which can be used as companionship for the child or youth (reading, playing games, doing crafts, etc.), homemaking (laundry, dishes, light cleaning, small meal preparation), or other agreed-upon activities.
Out-of-home respite programs
Tender Tots
- For children (aged 6 months to 7 years) who need a nurse, are technologically dependent and/or who require 24 hour care.
Saturday Adventures
- For children with developmental disabilities (aged 3 to 6 years). Children can engage in a variety of play-based activities including, gross motor play, crafts, sensory room, outdoor play, sensory activities, and invited guests.
Navigators
- For children with developmental disabilities (aged 6 to 11 years). Children have an opportunity to participate in a variety of recreation activities, such as art, music, baking, science and outdoor play.
Weekend Warriors
- For youth with developmental disabilities (aged 12 to 18 years). Youth have an opportunity to participate in a variety of recreation activities such as art, music, baking, science and outdoor play.
Space in all programs is limited but we will seek to support as many families as we can.