Arts & Humanities, by Liz Peters
In-home respite serves hundreds

Since 1988, hundreds of seniors and their primary caregivers have received care through Marquette County Commission on Aging’s Respite Care Program.
In order to enroll in this program, seniors must be living in their own home or apartment, or the home of a friend or relative in Marquette County and need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing or cooking. They must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, a related neurological disorder or be physically frail and unable to live on their own.
The respite program is designed to help the senior while the primary caregiver is out of the home. Everything the primary caregiver does for the senior is done by the respite caregiver during his or her absence. Respite caregivers provide companionship, supervision help with an exercise regimen, self-medication and all personal care needs such as preparing meals, feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, ambulation and transferring.
The Marquette County Commission on Aging (MCCoA) receives grant funds through the Region II Area Agency on Aging, Michigan Department of Community Health, Pathways and local donations to provide financial assistance in the form of reimbursement to the family for dollars spent to pay the respite caregiver during the primary caregiver’s absence. Amounts above the program reimbursement negotiated with the respite caregiver are the responsibility of the client or primary caregiver.
Having a respite caregiver come into the home is helpful to the caregiver. Caregiving can be difficult especially when care must be given for a long period of time.
“Our respite caregiver provided the best care for my husband that I could ever have imagined possible from March 2003 to January 2006,” one family member reported. “My husband was first diagnosed in 1990 with Parkinson’s Disease and in November 1999 with Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia. I sincerely believe she cared for him unconditionally, which I will always be thankful for.”
Primary caregivers receive many benefits from the respite program. They have the relief they need from nonstop caregiving and time to meet their own needs. Primary caregivers have piece of mind knowing that their loved one is safe and getting excellent care during their absence.
A family member served by the MCCoA respite care program describes her peace of mind.
“After the death of my dad almost three years ago, we were concerned about my mother. She suffered from severe anxiety and was not used to being alone; my dad had always been the one to take care of her. We felt she did not need a nursing home, but needed help in her home daily. My siblings and I all work full-time and were not able to give her the daily care and companionship she needed.”
The family contacted the MCCoA and now have two caregivers that come into the home.
“It gives us peace of mind knowing that at least a few hours a day mom has help with her personal care and someone to help her with grocery shopping, etc. not to mention the companionship and friendship they provide. It is also comforting to know that the caregivers are required (to have) twenty hours of training and a background check is done. We are so thankful for the respite program and the caregivers they have provided. It has allowed mom to remain in her own home.”
Primary caregivers can choose anyone they are comfortable with as a respite caregiver, whether it be a friend, relative or trained respite caregiver referred by the MCCoA. MCCoA staffs provide names and phone numbers of caring and knowledgeable respite caregivers. The MCCoA also refers respite caregivers to families who do not wish to be enrolled in the program.
The respite caregivers receive benefits as well. They are able to schedule their own hours, set their own wages and choose the area and services they wish to provide. More importantly, caregivers often report a feeling of self-worth in helping those in need.
“It means a lot to me to be able to provide loving care for a person in their own home where they have lived most of their life and raised their family,” one caregiver said. “It is rewarding to me to know how much the family truly appreciates my care for their loved one.”
Several respite caregivers are healthy seniors supplementing their social security income. MCCoA’s seventy respite caregivers range from nineteen to seventy-three years of age.
Each of these caregivers has attended a twenty-hour intensive training, references have been called and background checks done through the State of Michigan. Caregivers also are required to attend two training sessions end year. Training sessions are held quarterly by the MCCoA and feature professionals from around Marquette County.
The community benefits as well. Respite caregivers fill in a much needed service for health agencies with staff shortages and Medicare funding cutbacks. Agencies that have benefited from the MCCoA include: Marquette General Home Health, U.P. Home Health & Hospice, Lake Superior Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, UPCAP Care Management Services, senior centers, Pathways and assisted-living facilities.
If you or someone you know would benefit from the MCCoA respite program, call at 226-4183.
The Marquette/Alger Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association also offers a respite program. Emergency respite is offered to a primary caregiver when they unexpectedly are unable to provide care for their loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or another related disorder. Alzheimer’s Association will reimburse up to $8 per hour or seventy-five percent of the cost of providing respite care during this temporary situation, up to a maximum amount of $500 per emergency. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 228-3910.
Another form of respite is offered out of the home through the Marquette Adult Day Services. This program is for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, those in need of socialization and others with special needs who might benefit from the program.
The program also is important for families who need a safe place to bring their loved ones so they can have time for themselves. There is a nominal charge of $10 per day.
Other arrangements can be made based on financial need. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, call Donna LaForest at 226-4142.
—Liz Peters, Social Worker, Marquette County Commission on Aging