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PANCAKE SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTION

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ON THE SQUARE

SHELBYVILLE

5:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M.

TICKETS $5.00

PLEASE JOIN US!

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WE WON!

We were awarded the

"OUTSTANDING COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP AWARD FOR 2011"

by the Tennessee Respite Coalition!

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We offer family caregiver respite reimbursement with the Tennessee Respite Coalition

Overview

We believe everyone should be treated with respect and concern. Persons with Alzheimer's Disease are best cared for in a familiar, safe, homelike environment. We feel a balance of physical, social, emotional, and spiritual care, along with the knowledge that the community is concerned about their welfare; will enhance the quality of life for both the caregiver and their loved one with dementia.

Program Director

Ms. Joyce Adams has been the Program Director of the Caregiver Relief Program for almost 7 years. Joyce graduated from Belmont University Nursing School in 1974. The next 4 years she spent at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville working as a medical nurse. Later, she decided to learn surgical nursing and spent almost 30 years in surgery at various hospitals, including, St Thomas in Nashville, and Bedford Co. Hospital.

When Joyce was first asked to replace the Caregiver's nurse Program Director, she was a little skeptical. Timing was good though and Joyce said she would give it a try. After “brushing up” on “home health” skills and learning more about dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and the caregiving role, Joyce has come to love the “job". “But it really doesn’t seem like a job” she often says. Joyce wants to continue supporting the caregiver and those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease in our community. “It is a calling” and “I think very important in these times”, says Joyce.

Background

The Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County (CGRPBC) began in 1993.. The program has developed into a home based medical care giving ministry. The Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County is a non-profit charitable organization and assists the caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. A Registered Nurse visits the home to assess the condition of the participant and caregiver, offer support, education, medical assessment, referrals, and free respite visits for the caregiver. Our program is also very unique in that we are the only program in Tennessee that provides free nursing visits in the home. As our population lives longer, care of the elderly has become a serious socioeconomic concern. There are approximately 800 people in Bedford County identified with dementia. Our program regularly serves 15-20 families. In the past year we directly served 262 persons. Statistics show that with the assistance of a program like the CGRBC persons with dementia are able to remain in their home about one year longer than without support. With nursing homes costing about $44,000 per year, this is a substantial savings to local, state and federal governments. Many more people enter nursing homes because of caregiver burnout than from disease progression. By 2020 there will be 14 million elderly in need of long-term care, according to Alzheimer’s Association statistics. National surveys show that the greatest need of caregivers is time for themselves and money to help pay for care. These dedicated people often risk their own health to care for their loved ones and frequently suffer from many medical problems. In 1997 in Tennessee, 530,000 caregivers provided 492 million hours of care, the sixteenth highest in the nation. The Caregiver Relief Program is very vital and a basic necessity! Respite reimbursement is one of our priorities and contiunes to be a basic need of all caregving families. Knowing that the community cares about our caregivers validates their effort at home.

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Caregiver Relief of Bedford County