The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is urging individuals who care for a child or adult at home to take advantage of respite care services.
"The stress of caring for a loved one with special physical or emotion conditions can lead to an increased incidence of serious health issues for the caregiver, family breakups, and in some cases out-of-home placement of the individual with the disability," officials stated.
“Respite care is vitally important to caregivers who just need a break from the stress of caring for a loved one,” said E. Douglas Varney, commissioner of TDMHSAS. “Under constant stress, caregivers often experience loneliness, depression, and health issues which in some cases can result in the death of the caregiver.”
"The State of Tennessee is considered a leader in respite care services for families of children with a serious emotional disturbance," officials said.
There will be a national conference in Nashville to focus on respite care on Oct. 7-9 at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt Respite care advocates and experts will share new research and innovations in respite and will highlight the vital importance of respite care.
“When respite care is provided, caregiver stress is reduced and there’s less disruption to the integrity of the family,” said Louise Barnes, Ph.D., Children and Youth programs, TDMHSAS. “It stabilizes the family and that’s why we need it.”
Tennessee offers seven planned respite service locations:
Chattanooga - 423-634-8884 Ext 1146;
Memphis - 901-353-5440 Ext 367;
Gallatin - 615-452-1354 Ext 25;
Murfreesboro - 615-890-4622 Ext 16;
Jackson - 731-664-2111 Ext 24;
Oak Ridge - 865-482-1076 Ext 1159; and
Johnson City - 423-232-2719
For information about Planned Respite Services, please contact Louise Barnes, Ph.D. at 615-532-6727 or email: louise.barnes@tn.gov. For respite information and referral or for respite voucher services, please contact the Tennessee Respite Coalition at 1-888-579-3754 or 615-269-8687.