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The Alzheimer's Association WNY Chapter Volunteer Respite Program provides in-home respite for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. We recruit and train caring individuals to provide in-home companionship for a person with dementia while his or her |
caregiver takes a break. Two trained volunteers visit in each family's home for about two hours every week or every other week.
The volunteers provide conversation and meaningful activity for the person with dementia, and the caregiver will be free to run errands, go to lunch, or just take a nap.
Click Here for service providers here in Western New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Companion Care (Respite)?
What Does a Companion Care (Respite) Volunteer Do?
Who is Eligible to Receive Companion Care (Respite) Services?
How Much Does the Companion Care (Respite) Service Cost?
What is Companion Care (Respite)?
Respite simply means giving caregivers a much needed break.
Because people with dementia lose the ability to care for themselves and eventually cannot be left alone, caring for a person with dementia is often a 24 hour a day job. Caregivers often devote all their time to their loved one, which can make simple things like going to the store, getting a haircut, or going out for lunch very difficult or impossible. This can be very emotionally and physically exhausting.
What Does a Companion Care (Respite) Volunteer Do?
Respite volunteers provide in-home companionship and supervision for persons with dementia so that their caregivers have time to take a break.
This can include playing cards and other games, putting a puzzle together, conversing, sitting quietly, accompanying the client on a walk in the nice weather, and many other social activities.
Our program works with the caregiver and the client to find out what types of activities are most preferable and feasible.
Two Volunteers visit for two hours at a time, 2-4 times per month (depending on volunteer availability).
Volunteers provide companion care only and cannot provide any personal care or housework.
Who is Eligible To Companion Care (Receive) Respite Services?
Please Note: If you see something on this list that makes you think you are not eligible for this program, please call (716)626-0600 - we still may be able to help.
· This program is designed to help people who are caring for a loved one with dementia in their home.
· The client must have a diagnosis of a dementing illness (Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, etc.)
· The program cannot accept persons who exhibit combative, violent, or self-destructive behaviors. Caregivers are urged to contact our In- Home Care Consultation Program for help addressing these types of behaviors. To learn more about In-Home Care Consultation, Click Here.
· The client must not require assistance in ambulating, transferring, or toileting, as it is prohibited by New York State law for volunteers to assist with these activities through this program.
· Priority will be given to individuals who are not currently receiving financial assistance for respite services from another source, i.e. Medicaid, EISEP, VA, or other. Caregivers in need of respite services who are residing with clients receiving Medicaid should speak to their local Office for the Aging, as other programs may be available. (Please note- we still may be able to provide services, so please call (716)626-0600).
Program Guidelines
If the family meets the initial eligibility, the Alzheimer's Association will conduct an in-home assessment, and will conduct annual in-home assessments thereafter. The Association reserves the right to conduct an assessment at any time if the client exhibits a change in functional status or behavior. If a client exhibits a significant change in behavior or functional status, services may be discontinued.
How Much Does the Companion Care (Respite) Service Cost?
Respite services provided through this program are funded in part by a grant from the New York State Office for the Aging. To ensure that this program is available for the large number of families requesting respite, the Alzheimer's Association asks caregivers to provide a modest co-payment for services. The co-payment will be $10 or less per visit, based on income. Households with income less than the amounts shown below may be eligible for a reduced co-payment. No one will be refused services based on inability to pay. Proof of income is required in order to receive a reduced co-payment or free services, and arrangement must be made in advance.
SLIDING SCALE FEE FOR RESPITE SERVICES
Yearly Income Yearly Income Co-Pay Per Visit Single Client Couple ------------- Less than $15,000 Less than $19,000 $0 $15,000 - $23,000 $19,000 - $27,000 $6 $23,001 - $34,000 $27,001 - $38,000 $8 $34,001 + $38,001 + $10
Interested in Volunteering?
Have you ever cared for a loved one with dementia?
Many of our volunteers have cared for a loved one who had Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and know the difficulties faced by caregivers. If you would like to help give a break to a caregiver, please contact us at (716)626-0600.
Are you a professional caregiver (currently or retired) working with persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders?
Or are you just a nice person looking for a volunteer opportunity?
We provide free training to caring individuals who would like to become respite volunteers.
Click Here to Request A Volunteer Application
Our Wish List
Volunteer Respite Program Wish List
Activity Books (Crossword puzzles, word searches, etc.)
Trivia Games
Board Games
Card Games
Fragrant Lotions
Nail polish/remover
Other beauty products
Arts and crafts materials
Paper
Paints
Brushes
Markers
Crayons
Fabrics
Hole Punches
Safety Scissors
Felt
String
Beads
Glue
Yarn
Videos (Old movies and TV shows)
Music (Cassettes, CDs, sheet music, songbooks)
Books (i.e. Gardening, Sports, Automobiles, Tools) (especially large print)
Gardening materials
Photo albums
Scrapbooking materials
Plastic totes for storage
