Not just a house, a home
It can be a beautiful thing to be someone’s entire world, but it can also be mentally and physically exhausting to feel as though everything will fall apart if you take a moment to care for yourself.
Ranch Ehrlo’s newest program, Respite Home, offers families and caregivers supporting children and youth who are medically complex and/or experiencing disability with the opportunity to press pause. It provides peace of mind that care will continue, needs will be met, and the world will keep spinning – allowing caregivers the space to rest, reset, and tend to their own health and wellness. Taking time for yourself isn’t stepping away from care; it’s an essential part of giving your loved one the very best of you.
Lengths of stay are person-centred and dependent on the specific needs and circumstances of each family.
Home away from home
Nestled among quaint homes in a quiet, well-established residential neighbourhood in Regina sits our Respite Home. From the outside, it looks like any other house on the street – a welcoming front porch, a yard ready for play, and a front door that opens not just to a house, but to a home.
Inside, the open-concept, three-bedroom layout creates a warm and accessible atmosphere. Open sightlines and low-profile furniture invite children to curl up with a blanket, settle in with a book, or enjoy a game. Just beyond the front living room is the kitchen, complete with a double sink perfect for water play, and a dining table where family-style meals are shared, and connection naturally unfolds.
The hallways are lined with thoughtful touches. Painted artwork and mirrors hang at hip height, giving children a front-row view of who they are and the beauty they create. A bedroom to call their own (even if only for a short time) opens to a bed dressed in Paw Patrol covers or themed around a child’s greatest interest. A safety railing supports restful sleep, while labelled drawers help make getting dressed easier in the morning.
Social stories sit on desktops, framed photos decorate the walls, and signs of the week’s crafts linger throughout. Further down the hall, another two bedrooms await a friend. A bathroom is filled with rubber ducks, adaptive supports, and visual routine cues, all designed to encourage independence and build confidence.
Compassionate care
It’s not only the atmosphere that makes Ranch Ehrlo’s Respite Home a place where all belong; it’s the caring and compassionate staff who welcome you with bright eyes and warm smiles. They light up when they speak about the participants they work with, beam with joy as they share memories of outings in the community, and express genuine pride in the happiness they’ve helped the youth achieve.
This tight knit team of staff care with compassion and consistency and are trained to provide the care these little people need.
Skilled staff
Our team is caring and knowledgeable. We have an extensively trained team of person-centred support workers who are overseen by a clinical manager and clinical director. We also have a full-time registered nurse on staff working daily with our young participants.
All direct care staff are trained and knowledgeable to ensure your child is safe and well cared for. Each team member is trained in first aid, gentle teaching, transfer life reposition (TLR) training, trauma informed crisis de-escalation, supported decision-making, person-centred CARE, dignity of risk, and Stride training that emphasizes the importance of autonomy, independence, and choice. Specialized training is provided to ensure staff meet complex medical needs, such as G-tube feeding and care, safely and competently. Whatever your child needs to support their medical needs, our care team will be trained prior to welcoming your child to our home. Training and education are highly prioritized and valued by the team.
Our staffing model reflects our commitment to safety, providing 24/7 awake staff. Communication logs, medical charting, and consistent communication between team members ensure continuity of care, clear oversight of each child’s needs, and a consistent, coordinated approach that keeps your child safe, supported, and well understood at all times.
See here for more information and to complete a referral to the Respite Home.
Note, we have heard from our community that there is also a great need for respite homes for adults who are medically complex and/or experiencing disability. We are deeply committed to supporting our community and addressing service gaps. We are actively exploring ways to offer this program as well.