January 11th, 2021
AgeWays will be able to help more family caregivers find space for themselves – and feel secure that their loved one is in good hands – thanks to a grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s Vital Seniors Initiative.
The $50,000 grant will fund up to 14 days (and nights) of out-of-home respite care per person per calendar year at Memory Lane, a 6-bed licensed home in Ypsilanti that serves people who have dementia or a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. The home offers in-home services like hairdressing, physical therapy, eldercare therapy and foot care.
Caregivers of people with dementia often experience depression and burnout. Respite care is designed to give them time to care for themselves, whether for medical reasons, to travel, or to just take a break.
Vouchers for the respite care are available to people 60 and older who are not participants in other in-home care programs run by AgeWays, including MI Choice and the Community Living Program (although they are eligible if they are on the waitlist for those programs). They or their caregiver must reside in Washtenaw County.
To apply, call AgeWays at 800-852-7795 weekdays. A resource specialist will gather basic information, including a brief description of the participant’s care needs, and pass along a referral to Memory Lane. Families will work directly with Memory Lane to complete screening for admission, but the agency will pay for the service.
To find out more about other programs, services and resources to help family caregivers, visit our Caregiver Resources page.
