What are respite services?
Respite services can be described as planned or emergency temporary care provided to caregivers of a child or adult with disability. Respite programmes provide planned short-term and time limited breaks for families/guardians of persons with disability.
Who is eligible?
Minors and adults with a disability are eligible for respite services.
Benefits of respite
Respite services are indispensable in the life of a caregiver. Respite is not about replacing the care that the caregiver gives but it is about sustaining the possibility that the caregiver continues to provide the necessary care. Respite services are correlated with several benefits including:
- Provides a break for the caregiver in order to carry out other important and necessary tasks in their daily life including some time for some self-care
- Delay long-term placement as through respite services caregivers will have the possibility to refresh
- Studies showed that caregivers making use of respite services had lower levels of parental stress and a considerable increase in coping ability
- Provide a positive experience for the individual availing from respite. Individuals in respite care will have the opportunity to socialise and make new friends.
Respite services in Malta
Aġenzija Sapport has an agreement with Ħila Homes Ltd., which offers respite services at Casa Apap Bologna in Mosta and Casal Nuovo in Paola.
Individuals can also avail from respite services at Dar il-Kaptan in Mtarfa and Dar Arka in Għajnsielem, Gozo.
Process to apply
Anyone that meets the eligibility criteria can apply for a respite service. Interested individuals can apply for respite by calling Aġenzija Sapport Helpline on Freephone 153 (press ext. 5) or on 2256 8000 and ask for the NGO Department, which oversees all respite requests.