Respite Care welcomes first family to program
Ranch Ehrlo’s newest program is filling a gap in services with Respite Care in Regina and surrounding area.
Respite Care is care that comes to you. Ranch Ehrlo staff will come to the family home and care for children, youth, and adults experiencing disability and/or medical challenges. This service allows caregivers to take a necessary break while knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for in the comfort of their own home, or in the community participating in activities.
“Behind every person living with a disability or complex medical need is someone who loves them deeply –a parent, a partner, a sibling – who shows up every single day. In Regina, those caregivers are quietly exhausted, and too many of them are doing it without support,” said Jane Powell, clinical and community living supports.
Ranch Ehrlo’s Respite Care program meets this need by providing short-term care that promotes caregiver well-being while offering enriching, goal-oriented experiences for the individual. When Respite Care is offered in the family home, it fosters comfort, consistency, and dignity by taking place in familiar surroundings, explained Jane.
“When a highly trained, caring worker can come into the home and support someone in a way that truly reflects who they are – their routines, preferences, and personality – it makes a world of difference, for the whole family.”
The new program recently began providing in-home respite care to its first family and is enthusiastic about its launch and the valuable support it provides to strengthen the family unit.
“We are absolutely thrilled. Welcoming our first person into the program is such a meaningful milestone and one that has been a long time coming,” said Jane. “There is nothing quite like seeing the joy on someone’s face when they are supported in the comfort of their own home, in their own space, surrounded by the things and routines that make them feel safe and at ease.”
Respite Care by Ranch Ehrlo Society is fully person-centred, offering support whenever a family needs it, whether for a few evening hours or a longer-term arrangement. Before respite begins, families complete a one-page profile and a “Health Passport” to familiarize staff with their loved one. The team then visits the home to get to know the individual, learning the best ways to provide care. This process also allows Ranch Ehrlo to thoughtfully match the most suitable support staff.
In-home respite is a specialized, high-skill service and the investment reflects the depth of training and care the team brings to every family. Person-centred support workers are highly trained professionals equipped to support people with complex and diverse needs. The Respite Care program is funded through an hourly fee that can be paid by an individual or family member or through a caseworker. All team members are trained in:
• First Aid & CPR-C
• Gentle Teaching & Person-Centred CARE
• Transfer, Lift & Repositioning (TLR)
• Trauma-Informed Crisis De-escalation
• Supported Decision-Making & Dignity of Risk
• STRIDE training — emphasizing autonomy, independence, and choice
• Specialized medical training tailored to each person we support (e.g., G-tube feeding and care)
• Additional training needed for an individual’s care is fully attained before the team’s first visit.
Families do not have to shoulder this expense on their own. Several funding sources may be available to help. For help navigating funding options and the various systems, please contact Jane at 306-781-1260.
“When caregivers are replenished, they come back with more love, more patience, and more capacity to be present for the person they care for,” said Jane. “When you open your door to us, you’re welcoming someone who is not only warm and trustworthy, but genuinely skilled and prepared. Families deserve nothing but the best.”