BOSTON — Families who care for a loved one with a disability or illness know that respite care is often the difference between being able to provide care at home or seeking permanent placement in an outside facility, such as a nursing home. Finding qualified respite workers to provide this needed break or short period of rest can be a challenge in itself.
The Massachusetts Respite Directory — www.massrespitedirectory.org — helps to connect families who need short-term or temporary relief with respite workers who provide direct care on a temporary basis. Since the Massachusetts Respite Directory launched last fall, more than 3,000 workers have signed on to provide respite care. More new workers are added every day.
The Directory provides up-to-date names, training and contact information of respite workers who can work full- or part-time, and lets families review each worker’s experience and qualifications before they contact them. Families can learn if respite workers are available mornings, days, evenings, overnight, or weekends, and can search for workers who are fluent in a foreign language or who have advanced training or certifications, such as CPR, first aid or medication administration.
