An informal kickoff breakfast was held June 14 to introduce the program to the faith community with whom the department hopes to partner in offering volunteer respite care. Representatives from area congregations were on hand to learn program details.
Steve Bishop, executive director of the Volunteer Respite Program at the Center for Volunteer Caregiving, an interfaith initiative, outlined the success of the Cary program which is in its 10th year and has 500 volunteers.
The elderly are becoming “the cool crowd,” Bishop said. “They are the fastest growing population in the country. As a result, the health care system is being taxed (to try and meet their needs.)”
Volunteers and faith congregations appear to be a natural match in the attempt to offer respite for caregivers, Bishop said. Congregations have been taking care of people for centuries. They are now concerned about reaching people who fall through the social safety net. “An umbrella organization such as the Dept. of Aging” is very helpful to congregations who can turn to a central place to find help.
“This is not hospice care,” Bishop pointed out. The volunteer respite program offers caregivers a few hours a week to take time off from their caregiver role and do something for themselves. “It may be going to the hairdresser, going shopping alone, or just staying home and having a long, uninterrupted bath,” he added.
The local program is a cooperative effort between the Dept. of Aging and RSVP. Volunteers will be organized and trained through RSVP which offers careful matching of volunteer to caregiver need, and will do the usual routine background checks. Another aspect of RSVP, notes Susan Holmes, director, is the free insurance coverage for volunteers while they are performing their work.
Finding caregivers who need respite is one of the program goals. Many family members are reluctant to come forward and admit they might need a little time off. Gradually, as word of the program spreads, the organizers expect to hear from many who are interested.
“Don’t worry about finding caregivers,” Bishop told the group. “Worry about finding volunteers.”
Stender organized two training sessions June 17 and 19 for the first batch of volunteers. Information covering many aspects of aging, caregivers, and the role of the volunteer was presented.
A training manual was compiled by Stender and her committee of trainers: Holmes, Ann Robson, Marcelle Pierre-Louis, and Lucille Szymanski. Additional information from AARP was included.
“The cutting edge of how social services will be delivered,” is how Bishop described the cooperative effort between faith-based groups and community services. “There is no proselytizing,” Bishop stressed. “We’re just helping the community at large.”
Caregivers will end up needing care themselves at some point unless they get some regular help, both Bishop and Stender observed. “Family members are reluctant to reach out … they will run themselves into the ground,” Bishop said.
He told the group that volunteers in the Cary program find their work “immensely fulfilling.”
“There are always going to be people who need help,” according to Bishop.
The Moore County program is funded by a federal family caregiver support act. Last fall, the local grant was approved by the Triangle J Regional Office, Area Agencies on Aging.
Two other components of the grant include compiling a community resources directory, which has been completed and is available to the public. More than 200 resources are listed. The third component addresses the need for support for grandparents raising grandchildren.
Those interested in receiving respite care, or in volunteering to provide that care, may contact Stender or Terri Prots at the Dept. of Aging at 947-2881 or Susan Holmes, RSVP at 947-6395.
