Respite Innovations
Attend our Upcoming Movie Screening
Free Movie Screening: Unseen, a documentary about caregiving
This free screening will be on Saturday, February 8th at 1pm at the Fine Arts Theatre in Maynard. Following the movie at 2pm, Dafna Krouk-Gordon, founder and CEO of TILL, Inc, will lead a discussion on the issues raised in the film and audience members will have the opportunity to share and connect with one another. Admission is free and includes popcorn and soft drinks. Other concessions will be available for purchase. Click here to view a short trailer for the film. If you’d like to attend the screening, please RSVP to familyrespite@tillinc.org to reserve your spot.
Take a Look at Some of our Past Respite Programs & Services
Winter Wonderland Dinner Party
Families joined us for an enchanting evening filled with music, a fun photo booth, air spray artistry, and a delicious sit-down dinner at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel. This event was made possbile thanks to funding from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Respite Innovations Grant.
Respite Cleaning Service
We offered 3-hour blocks of housecleaning by Four Points Cleaning Service to full-time caregivers within an hour of Waltham, MA. Being a full-time caregiver can make finding time for chores and errands difficult; our housecleaning service freed up time for family caregivers to help them take advantage of respite and recharge.
Respite Personal Trainer Service
We offered four one-hour-long personal training sessions at Inclusive Fitness in West Roxbury, free of charge, as part of our respite programming. This unique gym offers one-on-one personal training to teens and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Our support of this program was to offer family caregivers access to a resource to help their loved one build confidence and independence, while improving fitness and health. Family caregivers were able to use this session time as respite - to do errands, read a book, or even use the fitness equipment at the gym.
Top Golf
Thank you to the families who joined us at Topgolf Boston-Canton on, December 14, for an early afternoon of golf, lunch and camaraderie. Top Golf’s heated hitting bays welcomed both beginner and experienced golfers. TILL provided the respite staff or paid for a caregiver to make this Topgolf experience possible.
Sibling Social Event at Level 99
Thank you for the families who joined us at Level 99 in Natick on November 17, from 3-6pm. Having a sibling with a disability isn’t something that all teens have in common and can be tough to talk about with friends. This event gave teens who share this reality a chance to get together in a judgment free, fun atmosphere at Level 99 in Natick for an afternoon of gaming, socializing and enjoying delicious food with peers who “get it.” Parents enjoyed meeting other parents and spending time doing something fun with their own child.
Dads Supporting Dads
This one-hour Zoom event on October 20 gave dads who have children with disabilities the chance to connect. Moderated by a professional clinician, this event provided an opportunity for connection, support, feedback and growth from other dads sharing similar challenges. Groups such as these help facilitate the development of new skills, approaches, mindsets and confidence.
Yoga Meditation
This event happened Sunday, October 6, at Blue Lotus Healing Arts. 12 family caregivers took a class focused on breathing and relaxation techniques, along with gentle stretching. Blue Lotus Healing Arts’ studio provided caregivers with the time and space to find a moment of peace, calm, and connection with other family caregivers. This was an amazing opportunity to relax and unwind. Thank you to all of the family caregivers who attended!
Overnight Respite Getaway
We have offered monthly overnight getaways to treat family caregivers and their guests to a night away at the Residence Inn in Burlington, MA. Participants loved having a night to themselves to go out to dinner, shop, see a movie, or relax at the hotel and use the fitness room and indoor swimming pool. After a hot breakfast, family caregivers were invited to join other Respite Getaway participants in a social connections group to share experiences and discuss challenges and successes with one another. To make this overnight getaway possible, TILL provided the respite staff or paid a stipend for a caregiver, family member or friend, to provide respite care in the family's home.
Spa Day Away
We have completed our scheduled Spa Day Away events where family caregivers were treated to an afternoon of elegance, calm and relaxation at Encore Boston Spa. This relaxing afternoon included a 90-minute balancing massage and access to the spa's relaxation rooms, sauna, steam room and hot tub. TILL provided respite staff or paid for a caregiver to make this respite afternoon possible.
Golf & Gab Respite - Free Event with Respite Care Included
This event happened Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Puttshack at the Natick Mall, when 18 family caregivers joined us for upscale, tech infused mini golf and a delicious lunch. The semi-private seating area was conducive to talking to other family caregivers, making new social connections and discussing shared experiences. TILL provided respite staff if needed or a gift card stipend to family members or friends who provided care. This Golf & Gab outing (for adults only) encouraged caregivers to take a break, enjoy themselves and meet others who share similar experiences. Thank you to all of the family caregivers who attended!
Mother's Day High Tea Treat
This event was designed for moms who need a minute away from all that comes with being a caregiver. The Tea Leaf Tea Room and Art Gallery, 487 Moody St., in Waltham, provided the perfect venue for Afternoon Tea. The moms who participated had the opportunity to come together to relax, meet other moms who share similar experiences, and enjoy a lovely lunch.
TILL provided respite staff or paid a stipend to cover the cost of a caregiver a family already knows. Having trusted respite care in place is key to enable caregivers to take a break from the demands of caregiving - knowing their loved-one is in good hands.
Free April Vacation Program for Children of all Abilities! Grades K-6
Our vacation program was held at Bridgeview Apartments, 330 Rutherford Ave., in Charlestown. The three-day program included free play, arts & crafts, games and movies with a performance each morning featuring:
- Music by Denya LeVine
- Historic New England
- Animal Adventures
