Most dementia patients are at risk of wandering outside the home, requiring someone to stay with them at all times. For the family caregiver who lacks friends or family who can take her place for a few hours each week, the caregiver is on duty 24/7. Over time, this relentless responsibility will cause burnout, and frequently cause the caregiver herself to experience physical and mental maladies.

A regular respite break can give the caregiver an opportunity to recharge her batteries – visit the salon, take in a movie, have lunch with a friend, or go to a quiet place somewhere and simply not be “on duty” for a few hours.

Home health agencies can provide respite breaks in 4- or 8-hour increments, sending a trained nursing aide or companion to sit with the dementia patient while the family caregiver takes a much-needed break.

For family caregivers who need (but cannot afford) respite breaks, Senior Attention sponsors a program that provides scholarships to pay for a companion to sit with their loved one for a few hours each week. Honoring geographic boundaries stipulated by some of its grantors and donors, Senior Attention’s respite care scholarships are restricted to residents of Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties.

If you (or someone you know) are caring for a homebound memory-impaired senior at home and cannot afford to pay for a home health aide to provide a respite care break, call or email us to make application for one of our scholarships:

Elaine Morgan (817-454-0698)
Paul Morgan (817-307-3234)
pmorgan817@yahoo.com