The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a national non-profit organization that unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia and their families recently awarded a $5,000 respite care grant to Community Services of Northern Kentucky, a non-profit organization in Florence also known as the Bill & Betsy Scheben Care Center.
Grant recipients utilize these funds to provide respite scholarships to families living with Alzheimer’s disease. Respite programs—such as adult day programs—offer caregivers a much-needed time-out from their caregiving duties, while providing stimulation for individuals with Alzheimer’s.
“AFA is proud to award respite care grants in an effort to help family caregivers maintain their own sense of mental and physical health. Nobody is superman. It is important to realize that you can’t do it all,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., president and chief executive officer of AFA.
“These grants will afford family caregivers an opportunity to send a loved one with dementia to an adult day program, or hire an in-home aid, and lightens their caregiving load, allowing them the critical time necessary to recharge. Respite care ultimately helps people remain in their homes longer and delays the need for a long-term care facility. I congratulate all the grant recipients and encourage them to keep up the great work,” added Mr. Fuschillo.
Family caregivers of individuals with dementia are critical to the quality of life of the care recipients. However, this support often comes at a cost of caregiver distress and with a challenging quality of life. Caregivers face many obstacles as they balance caregiving with other demands, including child rearing, career, and relationships. They are at increased risk for stress, depression, and a variety of other health complications, as well as decreased engagement in preventive health behaviors, such as exercise. There is also a greater likelihood among caregivers of smoking, drinking alcohol, and inadequate sleep.
The grant is named for the deceased parents of Barry Berg, the AFA board’s treasurer. Both of Berg’s parents passed away in 2009. His mother, Phyllis, had Alzheimer’s disease, and his father, Milton, was a devoted caregiver.