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For adults with disabilities, respite care can be reinvigorating

WILLIAMS BAY — Respite care for adults with disabilities is increasingly difficult to find, according to a recent survey by Inspiration Ministries in Williams Bay.

So beginning March 1, the Christian-based residential community for adults with disabilities will offer flexible respite care.

Designed in 24-hour blocks of time, guests reside in fully-accessible recently-renovated cabins and participate in a variety of activities designed to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each individual.

The minimum stay is one night with a maximum of 13 nights.

This vacation-style experience offers opportunities for guests to participate in on-campus activities and occasional community-based events. All care and activities are made available and supervised by appropriately trained activity and medical staff.

A survey of southeastern Wisconsin social-services agencies shows that there is a need for this kind of respite care for both planned and emergency situations.

Often, a break from the daily routine of care-giving is all that is needed to refresh and reinvigorate family members and others who provide or receive care.

Knowing that their loved one will have a great experience away is often the impetus needed for families and caregivers to take this step. After time apart, they come back together with new stories, new experiences and new perspectives.

What makes this different from other respite services? It is an out-of-home experience in a community setting, offered in a rural environment. It combines community-based activity options with on-site activities to provide an experience that enables our guests to make new friends around the fire or playing Wii.

Inspiration Ministries has been offering respite services to adults with disabilities for more than 50 years through its summer camping program and during 3-4 day respite camps held monthly from September through May since 1997.

For more information about this service, contact Kristi at (262) 275-5753 or check the Web site at www.InspirationMinistries.org.