Rose Cherry's Home

Although hospices for adults exist in Canada, there are few targeted specifically to medically complex children. The only alternative to in-home respite is institutional care, which comes at a significant cost and in most cases is unavailable.

More than 80,000 Ontario children suffer from chronic health problems. Estimates from Community Care Access Centres across Ontario place the number of youngsters living at home with severe medical problems at 1,700.

With the closure of government institutions and the increasing longevity of children with chronic illnesses, families have been placed in the situation of providing care, in many cases functioning in a role previously performed by a specialized health care professional. Parents providing vigilant care for their children experience significant stress and the potential for burnout. These families urgently need respite services.

Rose Cherry's Home will address the family's need for on-going support. The Home will provide families the opportunity to network and gain emotional support from other families facing similar challenges and offer ongoing educational support to enhance essential care-giving skills.

Community Care Access Centres have estimated that approximately 1700 children living at home have illnesses that are medically complex and render these children dependent on technology and round-the-clock care.