WATERLOO – The Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington (ASWW) has announced it now has a fully funded in-home Respite Program.
Ontario Health is providing the funding after a successful pilot initiative.
This new funding ensures the program’s continued growth and accessibility, providing crucial relief to care partners across the Waterloo Wellington region, officials stated.
The ASWW Respite Program provides in-home respite services to support care partners by offering a regularly scheduled four-hour shift per week.
This service, which is free of charge, provides care partners the opportunity to take essential time for self-care, attend monthly support groups, education sessions, or handle personal errands and responsibilities outside of the home.
“We understand how challenging it can be to care for a loved one with dementia, and we’re proud to offer a program that helps alleviate some of that pressure,” ASWW executive director Michelle Martin stated in a press release.
“With the full funding from Ontario Health, we are now able to offer this invaluable service to even more families, providing the support they need to maintain their own well-being while caring for their loved ones.”
The respite program is available to care partners of a person living with dementia who still live in their home and are residents of the Waterloo Wellington region.
Respite services are provided through a qualified third-party provider, with trained staff who are experienced in supporting individuals living with dementia.
“The four-hour weekly shifts ensure that care partners have reliable, consistent help, and can step away from their caregiving responsibilities with peace of mind,” officials state.
Respite care is an essential resource for families navigating the challenges of dementia care, and ASWW is dedicated to ensuring that these services are accessible to those who need them most, officials added.
ASWW encourages interested individuals to reach out to learn more about eligibility and how to register for the program.
For more information or to register, contact 519-742-1422 or alzheimerww.ca or email asww@alzheimersww.ca.
