Collington's Respite Cottage

By Joan Zorza —

JoanZorza-186x178Although Collington has a wide variety of continuing care options, some residents needing care chose to live in independent living housing. Many of them are fully or partially cared for by housemates, who are typically spouses or partners, and less often siblings, parents or children. Collington has long made provisions for the person being cared for to receive respite care in the Creighton Center (its health care center).

Increasingly Collington has recognized that resident caregivers may need additional support. Collington brought in a psychiatric nurse to run a Caregivers Support Group. Yet even this support is not always sufficient, as some members of the Caregivers Support Group discovered. They suggested the idea of providing some space at Collington for respite care for caregivers. As soon as they raised the issue, both the Residents Association and the Collington Administration endorsed their suggestion, and the Administration acted quickly to designate and recondition a recently vacated cottage to create the Respite Cottage.

Once completed, resident volunteers who run the second-hand Opportunities Outlet (O.O.) Shop, whose proceeds fund the bulk of resident activities, moved some of its gently used furniture and housewares into the cottage. The cottage now has a sofa, table and chairs, lamps, a radio, an afghan, a bed, sheets and towels, and basic housewares, and is equipped for light housekeeping.

Collington can now offer its caregivers the Respite Cottage, a place where caregivers can go for rest and relaxation, to read a book, listen to music, take a nap or get a good night’s sleep. Or they might use it to write letters, pay bills or to talk in private to friends, family, or a support person. Any resident at Collington who shares living quarters with someone who is dependent on them for care because of mental, physical, or psychological challenges can use the cottage. The caregiver need not be a member of the Caregivers Support Group.

Caregivers wishing to use the cottage can now call Security to reserve the Respite Cottage. The cottage can be reserved several days in advance, and for up to 24 hours at a time, letting Security know approximately how long they want to use it. The Caregiver then picks up the key from Security, or arranges to have Security let them into the Respite Cottage. The Caregiver may invite other people to the cottage and is responsible for leaving it in good condition, and returning the key to Security so others can use it.

The Caregivers Support Group thanks Mike McCulley (President of Collington’s Residents Association), the Marketing Office (which supported giving them one of the cottages), and the Opportunities Outlet Shop for their help and enthusiasm in creating this welcome haven for our deserving Caregivers.