Kaitlyn's Cottage ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house
Newswise — DEFIANCE, Ohio, June 27, 2012 – This week, ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital opened the nation’s first respite center on a community hospital campus. Located in Defiance, Ohio, with a population of 17,000 residents, the new state-of-the-art center offers short-term and overnight care for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities between the ages of 16-40.
Respite is planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to caregivers. The new 4,500-square-foot Kaitlyn’s Cottage offers a home-like environment with four private bedrooms, dining facilities and activity rooms where guests can socialize.
A survey by the Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that 14 percent of all U.S. children have special health care needs.
“Parents of children with disabilities are challenged to find safe, nurturing and social environments or new programs to challenge them,” said Frances Diel, director of respite services at Kaitlyn’s Cottage.
Diehl is part of a staff that is specially trained to care for individuals with medical conditions such as autism, Down Syndrome and Rett Syndrome. Guests have the option of receiving one-on-one attention or may participate in fun and educational group activities such as crafts, baking, playing music and outdoor activities. Cards with icons are available for guests who cannot speak.
The center is named after 18-year-old Kaitlyn Shock of Defiance. In 2000, she was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a nervous system disorder that leads to developmental reversals particularly in language and hand usage. It primarily affects young girls. Children with Rett Syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behaviors in the early stages.
Her grandparents, Sharon and Dan Farrell, donated $1 million toward building the facility. The Farrell’s also started an endowment fund that has raised $1.5 million to help other area families afford to send their relatives to Kaitlyn’s Cottage.
“This is an idea that I thought about years ago because of our Kaitlyn,” Sharon Farrell said. “Now young people like Kaitlyn have this beautiful new facility to call their home away from home.” Sharon Farrell said.
For more information about Kaitlyn’s Cottage, visit www.promedica.org.
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital is a member of Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica, a mission-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization formed in 1986. ProMedica has more than 14,300 employees and nearly 1,700 physicians – with more than 400 healthcare providers employed by ProMedica Physicians. Its 11 hospitals and more than 306 facilities offer comprehensive diagnostic, medical and surgical specialties in heart and vascular, oncology, orthopaedics, neurology, and women and pediatric services. ProMedica’s mission is to improve health and well-being, with a strong focus on wellness and clinical excellence, as well as innovative, community advocacy programs that address health-related issues such as hunger and obesity. For more information, please visit www.promedica.org.###
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