The New CARC Respite Center Provides Social Opportunities To The Elderly And
Those With Disabilities • By Brad Goins
Since June of last year, the highly respected local health and social services organization CARC has housed a Respite Center at the CARC offices at 1718 Hodges St. in Lake Charles.
The center offers a chance for caregivers to drop off the person for whom they’re caring for a period as short as two hours or as long as two weeks. In so doing, caregivers have the assurance that their loved one is always supervised by professional caregivers.
The CARC Respite Center is now ready to show off the facility to the public at an open house, which will take place 8 am-noon on Saturday, April 26. There will be tours of the center as well as educational sessions about its operation and programs. Those who attend can meet the staff and enjoy refreshments.
For more than half a year, the Respite Center has been offering caregivers a chance to get off on their own. The center welcomes anyone who’s supervised by a caregiver — that is, anyone with a disability. Even a temporary disability, such as a broken leg, is considered a legitimate criteria for care.
The elderly also qualify as guests.
“What a lot of people don’t realize about CARC is that we care for the elderly” as well as the disabled, says Care Manager Sherriel Wilkins. Elderly patients with no serious disability are welcome at the center at all times.
At first, one might think the Respite Center’s services are used mainly for emergency situations — such as a sudden, unexpected doctor’s appointment — or for an important convention or trip. But in fact, there are all sorts of reasons for people on both ends of the caregiving spectrum to use the Respite Center.
An Array Of Benefits For Caregivers
Sometimes caregivers want to be free to do simple practical tasks — such as mowing the lawn or making shopping trips. Also, husband and wife caregivers may take the opportunity simply to spend time with each other.
“A lot of parents are reluctant [to take advantage of the center] because they’ve been caregivers for so long. They don’t want to let go. Once they let go, they realize there’s a lot they can do” [with the time they gain], says Wilkins.
Caring for a loved one at home can be an overwhelming task. If family members aren’t careful, the physical, emotional and financial responsibilities that come with being a caregiver can take a toll on them. Sooner or later, something has to give.
The purpose of respite is to allow the caregiver to rest, recharge and remember that there’s life beyond caregiving. Just a few hours of relief from the constant care of a senior can make a world of difference.
And then there’s the situation of the person who’s cared for. Wilkins talks of one man who comes to the center one day each week simply because he enjoys it. During the course of the day, he’s served three meals and a snack. And throughout the day, he practices his hobby of choice — listening to Cajun music.
Tom’s Story
Sue Forth is a caregiver for her father, Thomas Doland, who is 90 years old. Along with working a part-time job at Albertson’s, Sue cooks, cleans, gives her dad his medications and brings him to doctor’s appointments.
His son, also named Thomas, and his wife Suzy, also help with his medications a couple of days a week. They bring him to their house on Saturdays so he can get out of the house and do something different.
When Sue dropped the elder Thomas off at the Respite Center for the first time, she felt “guilty bringing her dad to the center for care.”
But after Sue left that day, Tom really had an enjoyable day. He discovered that he loved to reminisce with the staff about the old days. He told them of his wife of 67 years, Ida. He also told stories about his children growing up and of the farm the family had in Grand Cheniere. He told stories about being on the Battleship USS Mississippi when he was in his 20s.
Sue Forth and Tom Doland
One other thing he spoke of was his love of feeding birds and bird watching. After hearing of his interest, the staff took him to the Civic Center and let him watch and feed the ducks.
When Sue picked her dad up after his first afternoon at the center, she said she realized “the Respite Center is a perfect place for both my dad and I. This gives Dad a bit of time to be with others and out of the house. It also gives me a day off.”
Specifics Of The Program
As for the care provided at the Respite Center, supervision is provided by professional caregivers. Certified medicine attendants are available for those who want them.
The center operates on a private pay system, with a charge of $14 an hour for those with low needs and $16 for those with high needs. Center staff do a needs assessment for each new guest.
Before a guest’s first stay, he or she will be given a tour, fill out a questionnaire, provide a list of their medications and so forth. “From there, I can write up a care plan,” says Wilkins.
It’s requested that caregivers stay in the center for at least 30 minutes to an hour on the first visit to lessen the risk that the new guest will feel uncomfortable.
Caregivers are informed of funding sources for the costs of caregiving at the center. For instance, some of the caregiving can be paid for by Medicaid through the New Opportunities Program.
In addition to medical care, the Respite Center provides outings, movies, games and transportation. Both private and common areas in the facility appear clean, comfortable and free of clutter.
The center can accommodate up to 12 adults. Caregivers who want to make use of its services should provide a week’s notice in advance if possible. It’s also helpful if those who are going to the center be told as far in advance as possible about the visit so that they become comfortable with the idea.
The CARC Respite Center is located at 1718 Hodges St. in Lake Charles. For more information or to arrange a visit or tour, call 437-4287.
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