Respite Home fills important gap in services
On January 29, Ranch Ehrlo’s Respite Home marked one month of operation, marking a period of growth, connection, and the beginnings of many memories shared between participants and the staff who support them.
The Respite Home was designed to fill an important gap in community services, offering families and caregivers a much-needed pause from the devoted and dedicated care they provide to loved ones experiencing disability or complex medical needs. It provides a home away from home so that caregivers can take time to reset and recharge, knowing their family members are supported in a safe, nurturing environment.
Abdul Awojobi, a part-time person-centred support worker (PCSW), brings a background in working with children and neurodivergent individuals. Since the Respite Home first opened its doors, he has found the work to be diverse and deeply fulfilling each day.
“I get to make an impact on someone’s life. I get to make a difference and see them smile,” Abdul shared. “A good day here is doing fun activities, cooking or sharing meals together, playing games, and going out into the community. When we share pictures from our day with the rest of the team, everyone gets excited and wants to hear your perspective on how things went.”
At the heart of the program is a close-knit, highly skilled team committed to person-centred care. Support workers are joined by a registered nurse, clinical manager, and clinical director, to create a well-rounded team prepared to provide competent, compassionate care. The intentionally small team fosters strong communication and collaboration, ensuring consistency and eliminating a revolving door of unfamiliar faces.
Given the complex medical needs of the children and youth staying in the Respite Home, it is essential that they are always supported by qualified, trained staff. Our clinical manager and director closely oversee care to ensure this standard is consistently met—and when needed, they step in themselves, providing direct, hands-on support to ensure participants receive the safe, high-quality care they deserve.
Participants are encouraged to make the Respite Home their own by exploring activities and interests they already love and by discovering new hobbies, both within the home and throughout the community.
Before a youth arrives, staff work with them and their family to create a one-page profile and “health passport”, ensuring their stay is guided by what matters most to and for them.
“It’s about building experiences and memories that they’ll never forget,” said Fola Folarin-Salami, another PCSW in the program.
Whether it’s playing games like Apples to Apples or visiting the Science Centre and the Sports Hall of Fame, participants enjoy developmentally appropriate and engaging activities throughout the day. While a daily schedule provides consistency and predictability, flexibility remains central to the program’s person-centred philosophy.
“We have routines and structures in place, but sometimes we might have something planned and the day goes a different way because they want to do something else,” Fola explained. “So, we meet them where they’re at.”
At the end of the day, when bedtime routines quiet the home, youth are tucked safely into their beds for a restful night – comforted by the assurance that a caring, attentive adult is just down the hall and are doing regular check-ins throughout the night.
For families who are new to respite services and unsure if their loved one is ready for care outside the home, we encourage exploring Respite Care, an in-home respite option designed for those who prefer care where they are most comfortable.