My mom is 83 years old, living alone with Alzheimer's Dementia. My sister, brother and I are rotating around spending a couple hours with her in the a.m. and the p.m. to make sure she gets her meds and eats her meals. We are trying to make long term plans for her but the process takes some time, so we could use some help with volunteers, etc. to come down to her house for a couple hours a day/week. We are looking for volunteer organizations in Charlotte, NC...Mom lives in Mint Hill.
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Q: Our family is looking for a volunteer organization in our community to assist us with our mom
Answers (3)
9/11/12 10:14am
I understand your family is seeking a volunteer to assist your mother in her home. I would recommend contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. This agency might be able to help you find an organization in your mother’s area that provides volunteer services. I’ve taken the liberty in finding one in Charlotte, NC. These agencies serve as local divisions of the state’s Department on Aging, and are the access point for senior services anywhere in the country. The Area Agency can be contacted between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Eastern Time at:
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
301 South Billingsley Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 432-1111
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers family caregivers an AFA Family Respite Care Grant. These are one-time awards worth $1000 in respite care services, including services by a home care agency, residential respite stays or attendance at an adult day program. You apply through any not-for-profit AFA member organization and you can use the funds at that agency or another agency (including those not affiliated with AFA). To learn more details and request an application form find the nearest not-for-profit AFA member via this link http://www.afamembers.org/ then inquire about their services.
Also, some local Alzheimer's agencies offer their financial assistance, so you might want to contact an organization in your area. As well, some adult day centers offer scholarships for individuals with dementia to attend. Adult day services are a wonderful resource for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. Social-model programs provide numerous benefits to individuals with dementia, as well as to the caregiver. Aside from ongoing supervision and safety throughout each visit, programs typically offer stimulating conversations, therapeutic activities related to health and recreation, nutritious meals, and even transportation in many programs. There are also medical-model programs available, typically called adult day health care programs, which offer more skilled nursing services in addition to the many benefits listed above. Some of these programs will even offer personal care and bathing at the center.
9/11/12 9:18am
Hi Lexynana,
I am sorry that your Mom is sick with AD. Given Alzheimer's, she should not live alone. In the early stage, she may manage to be home alone but as time goes on, she won't be the same and will get worse and will need caregivers full-time.
If she is still in earlier stage and can handle certain things, a part-time caregiver may help a lot. Some religious organizations have visitors and etc. Unfortunately, this kind of dementia requires paid professionals. Volunteers can only come to read to her or play with her once a week or so (a neighbor or a friend can do that too.) Such part-time or full-time or 24/7 caregiving requires payments. If she has long-term care, it may be used to pay for some of it. If home care is too expensive, usually she would go to the nursing home in later stage in the future. If she has no long-term care insurance, she and you guys will have to pay for the service out-of-pocket. Usually a certified nursing aid (CNA) is $20 per hour. Any caregiver who is not certified may be cheaper.
You may consider to bring her to the local adult day care center. She can have activities in the daycare center in the day so you guys can have a break in the day. Just need to drive her there and pick her up. This is common. There may be lots of adult day center for dementia/seniors. Check with the local senior service please.
Take care,
NC
9/11/12 10:14am
I understand your family is seeking a volunteer to assist your mother in her home. I would recommend contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. This agency might be able to help you find an organization in your mother’s area that provides volunteer services. I’ve taken the liberty in finding one in Charlotte, NC. These agencies serve as local divisions of the state’s Department on Aging, and are the access point for senior services anywhere in the country. The Area Agency can be contacted between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Eastern Time at:
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
301 South Billingsley Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 432-1111
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers family caregivers an AFA Family Respite Care Grant. These are one-time awards worth $1000 in respite care services, including services by a home care agency, residential respite stays or attendance at an adult day program. You apply through any not-for-profit AFA member organization and you can use the funds at that agency or another agency (including those not affiliated with AFA). To learn more details and request an application form find the nearest not-for-profit AFA member via this link http://www.afamembers.org/ then inquire about their services.
Also, some local Alzheimer's agencies offer their financial assistance, so you might want to contact an organization in your area. As well, some adult day centers offer scholarships for individuals with dementia to attend. Adult day services are a wonderful resource for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. Social-model programs provide numerous benefits to individuals with dementia, as well as to the caregiver. Aside from ongoing supervision and safety throughout each visit, programs typically offer stimulating conversations, therapeutic activities related to health and recreation, nutritious meals, and even transportation in many programs. There are also medical-model programs available, typically called adult day health care programs, which offer more skilled nursing services in addition to the many benefits listed above. Some of these programs will even offer personal care and bathing at the center.
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By lexynana— Last Modified: 09/11/12, First Published: 09/10/12
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