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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Respite options for caregivers
By Bea Cowlin, LSW
With summer here, many are making plans for time away to rest and relax. For many caregivers, there are additional challenges. They must consider the loved ones for whom they are providing daily care. Caregivers must arrange for the needed services, supervision, medication monitoring, cooking, etc., before they can even begin to plan for their own time away. And without assurances that all will go reasonably well when they are gone, it is sometimes difficult for caregivers to relax, often wondering if things are going okay with their loved one at home.
Elder Services has a number of options to assist caregivers in making sure their loved ones will receive the assistance they need, and allow the caregiver to have respite time that is truly restful and relaxing. The following respite services are available to all caregivers caring for someone age 60 or older:
There are two Supportive Day Programs in Berkshire County, in Pittsfield at the Ralph Froio Senior Center, and in Adams at the Adams Council on Aging. The Supportive Day Programs provide supervised day care that includes socialization, exercise, arts and crafts, and a variety of other activities. Hours are: Pittsfield 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Adams 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
There are three Adult Day Health Programs in Berkshire County, in Pittsfield at 33 Bradford Street, in North Adams at 420 Curran Highway, and in Great Barrington at 151 Christian Hill Road. In addition to the same activities listed above, the Adult Day Health Programs assist participants with activities of daily living such as toileting, dressing and bathing. There is a Registered Nurse on duty who can administer medication, and handle a variety of health and medical conditions including oxygen dependence, transferring and incontinence.
Hours are: Pittsfield 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., North Adams 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Great Barrington 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Both the Supportive Day Programs and the Adult Day Health Programs provide respite on an on-going basis, with attendance ranging from one to five days per week. There is the possibility of assistance with costs for this ongoing respite option through other programs available at Elder Services. These programs have further financial and clinical criteria.
The Elder Services Caregiver Support Fund and the Elder Services Council on Aging Caregiver Support Fund provide assistance to caregivers to cover one-time only expenses for which there are no other available resources. Some caregivers hire their own personal care aide and/or companion — often someone the care receiver knows — and apply to these funds to help pay for the cost.
Elder Services has also funded two sub-grants to provide personal care/companion respite services for caregivers. One is for those who care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, and the other can be tailored to meet the needs of the care receiver.
For information about these respite options, call Elder Services Information and Referral Department at 499-0524 or 800-544-5242.
Bea Cowlin is an Elder Services Caregiver Coordinator.