Vickie Nordin of Glade Valley (seated in front), pauses for a photo with her husband, Ken, (from left), and respite care workers Melissa Brewer and Diane Andrews. Vickie Nordin, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and Ken, both said the help from respite care has been a great service to them.

Respite Care offers new choice for those in need of home-aides

Alleghany Council on Aging representatives want to make sure that money available for a home-aide service is put to good use.

The council was allocated $3,900 from the state, administered through the Region D Council of Governments, for Respite Care. That program has some similarities to CAP (Community Alternative Program), Personal Care and other home-assistance services.

With Respite Care, however, the official client is the caregiver, the person who regularly provides companionship and assistance to a loved one, usually a family member, who is elderly and disabled. The program provides helpers to stay with that person and help with household tasks, particularly when the caregiver needs to be away for a time, thus the name Respite Care.

Ken and Vickie Nordin of Glade Valley appreciate and enjoy the help from Respite Care. Mrs. Nordin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about eight years ago, and Mr. Nordin usually stays with her.

"Once in a while you have to go somewhere," he said, such as a recent trip he needed to take to Johnson City, Tenn. Aides from Respite Care fill in during those times.

Diane Andrews and Melissa Brewer visit the Nordins, typically once a week. "They do light housekeeping, which is wonderful," said Nordin. They help with chores such as laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, as well as keeping Mrs. Nordin company.

"I'm always glad to see them come," she said.

Becky Higgins of the council on aging encourages those who might be eligible to contact her to apply for Respite Care, especially with the money allocated on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis. "We don't want to send any money back to the state," she said; the money is allocated only for this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back