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99 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd. Suite 200, Garden City, NY 11530
+1 (516) 539 0150
+1 (516) 539 0160

In-Home Respite Services

Program Overview

In-Home Respite Services provides in-home caregivers (companions) to Nassau County residents caring for an elderly relative in their home so the caregiver can take much-needed time off.

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Clients Served Last Year:

740

Funding Generously Provided by:

New York State Office for the Aging, Town of North Hempstead Project Independence, the Helen A. Morris Foundation, and private donations.

Program Contact:

Mary Coyle headshot

Mary Coyle, LCSW
Senior Program Director

Christine Weber

Christine Weber
Program Coordinator

Contact Information:

75 East Walnut St.
Long Beach, NY 11561
(516) 992-0081 ext.206
Mary.Coyle@eac-network.org

99 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd.
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 539-0150 x218
christine.weber@eac-network.org

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Program Description

The Problem:

94% of Nassau County residents 65 and older live at home, and those who need help to stay independent rely on their families for assistance. Thousands of family members who care for an older adult at home are overwhelmed with the stress of day-to-day care giving and the well-being of their loved one.

Our Solution:

Offer compassionate and reliable in-home companions so caregivers can attend to business, run errands, or relax knowing their loved one is in good hands.

How We Do it:

In-Home Respite Services begins with a free in-home assessment by a Registered Nurse who matches the family with a trained companion to ensure compatibility. All companions are screened and trained to work with seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. Companions offer friendship, bring the outside world into the home, introduce the older adult to games and other activities, prepare a light meal, provide minimal assistance with toileting, keep seniors safe in the absence of the caregiver, and provide additional support.

How You Can Help:

In-Home Respite Services seeks volunteers to become companions. To volunteer your time, please contact Christine Weber at (516) 539-0150 x218. To support In-Home Respite Services with a gift, click here or call (516) 539-0150 x117.

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The Outcomes of In-Home Respite Services

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As visitors other than the caregivers, In-Home Respite Services companions stimulate socialization for program participants. Over time, they develop close, long-term relationships. By allowing caregivers time off, they are given the opportunity for rejuvenation and self care.

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Furthermore, this support for families allows seniors to remain in their homes longer, resulting in significant savings to families and tax payers alike.

What People Say About In-Home Respite Services

I get great relief for those hours Carolyn is here. I look forward to the time she is here. I feel very comfortable leaving Rose with her. She’s trustworthy and the care she gives Rose is genuine.

John
In-Home Respite Services Client

It has helped me tremendously for me to get out once a week to go food shopping and getting to doctors appointments when needed. I don’t know how we would have made it without this help. Thank you.

Norma
In-Home Respite Services Client

Pat is not only Evelyn’s Tuesday companion, she is now her best friend. It gives me much time to complete things I did not have time to do before this wonderful service. They really help me in so many ways.

Harold
In-Home Respite Services Client

Linda is a very caring person. She cares for the comfort of my husband but she cares very much for my health and makes me feel good about myself and gives me strength to take care of my husband and myself.

Betsy
In-Home Respite Services Client

Every Tuesday, there’s a knock on the door. Alan comes in and my father’s face lights up. He always brings a little something: a piece of pastry, an old movie to watch. But his biggest gift is time. My dad loves to talk to people. But he can’t get out much anymore. A little more than a year ago, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and Alzheimer’s disease. One keeps him tied to an oxygen tank. The other is slowly robbing him of his memory. Walking is painful and difficult for him because of leg and knee injuries he suffered while fighting in World War II. He can’t leave the house by himself, and he can’t be left alone. Left to himself, he would remove the oxygen tube – he can’t remember why he needs it. Or he might put the kettle on the stove, then leave it to boil dry while he takes a nap. Now he stays at home with my mother. They are 89 and 90 years old. They’ve been married for more than 60 years. Many of their friends have moved; many have passed away. Alan brings the world to my father. For three hours a week, he sits and talks. Sometimes they watch a movie together, or look at photographs or play cards. Alan doesn’t care that my dad doesn’t know what day it is, or what season, or whether he repeats himself. He’s a friend whose conversation keeps my dad’s mind active, whose interest in my dad’s stories makes him smile. And Alan gives the world back to my mother. She’s the one taking care of my dad every day and sometimes she just needs a break. When Alan comes over, she can go out and visit a friend. Sometimes the biggest luxury is to be able to run to the grocery store. For three hours, she has her life back. It’s just three hours every week, but EAC Network’s In-Home Respite Services program makes a world of difference to the people who need it.

Lauri
In-Home Respite Services Client

There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe our caregiver, Bill. For two days a week, three hours each day, he has been a ray of sunshine for our family. He has a generous heart, is always willing to please, and has become in a short time become a very valued member of our family. We feel very blessed to have Bill in our lives.

Rudy
In-Home Respite Services Client

Our family has been blessed to have the wonderful help of EAC Network and their amazing caregiver Olga. Mom suffered with Alzheimer’s and it really took its toll on my dad. To give dad a break EAC Network arranged for guardian angel Olga to visit my folks each Wednesday. For about 4.5 years now, Olga has come and keeps mom company so dad could get out for a break. Whether it is singing, telling stories, coloring, or brushing mom’s hair, Olga gives mom love and attention that makes her so happy. When Olga arrives she always greets mom with a big hug and mom’s face lights up. We noticed the difference in mom immediately. Often mom looked despondent but not when Olga is around. Olga seems to have limitless energy and affection which adds quality to mom’s life. Despite mom’s cognitive challenges, Olga is able to connect with her. Olga understands this disease from the eyes of the patient, as her husband Jack also had Alzheimer’s. She is truly a remarkable woman. We consider her a member of our family and are so grateful to EAC Network for bringing us together.

Lilly
In-Home Respite Services Client

Thank you so much for posting [about the Memory Cafe] last month.  My friend’s parents felt isolated and alone dealing with this issue.  I shared this event with them. They found an acquaintance at St. Rafael’s who was going as well. They went together, and had an incredible time. They said the food was great, the guitarist was wonderful, and they had a lovely afternoon that was very encouraging. Someone so friendly and kind from EAC Network went around and spoke to each table. They are very pleased to have found this local group and excited to go again.  It’s so close to their home!  Thank you, thank you!

Anonymous
Memory Cafe Attendee

I’m writing because my mom just finished the first month with your companion program. I can’t tell you how pleased I am. First of all, Madeline [mom’s caregiver] is wonderful. When I first decided to have a companion come for my mom I was a little hesitant, because as you know my mother really didn’t want anyone in her home. But after speaking to you, I felt better about having a companion for my mother. I have to say it is the best thing I could have done for my mom, and also for myself.

I can’t say enough about Madeline.  Right from the first meeting she was so friendly. My mother was very comfortable with her from the start, which really eased my mind.

One of the things I had to do in the initial process was fill out a survey about my mom, which I had to give to Madeline. I wrote a very long letter about my parents and our family. In the letter, I wrote that my mother was a seamstress. So to show you how great Madeline is, she brought some sewing over so my mom could help her with it. My mom was in her glory. The next week Madeline brought yarn so my mom could knit.  Just love that they don’t sit in front of the TV.

It is obvious that Madeline truly loves what she does.  My mom enjoys their time together. It has really been a positive experience. I have less guilt thanks to your companion program, just knowing my mom is being cared for the way I would care for her.

N.G.
In-Home Respite Services Client

[In-Home Respite] has been working out very well.  Marjory is a wonderful person and has been very good with my mom.  She is a perfect fit for our situation and I am very appreciative of your help in providing Marjory as a companion to my mom.

L.Z.
In-Home Respite Services Client

I consider myself most fortunate to have been assigned MaryLou by EAC Network! It is gratifying to report that besides being efficient and kind, with a very pleasant manner, she is most considerate of my own needs and schedules as I continue to be the full-time caregiver of my husband John.

MaryLou is quite accommodating time-wise to my meet my needs for “time-out,” and I can leave the house without worry as I go about my personal activities and chores. When she arrives with her always-pleasant greetings to John she really enlivens him from his hum-drum days. MaryLou, who it is my pleasure to know and to have as my respite care worker, is reliable, kind, prompt and efficient. I can count on her to help my husband in being contented and relaxed, as a good companion should be.

Please know that I’m indeed grateful to EAC Network for your valuable service in sending MaryLou as my respite care worker. I hope that my opinion as to her value to us will be realized.

J.M.
In-Home Respite Services Client

It is with great delight that I sing the praises of your organization and the companion that represents you, Abby. In the beginning there was a lot of trepidation about having someone sit in the house with my wife, Jennie. She was not happy about a stranger invading her space. My wife is an introverted and quiet woman but after the second visit she loosened up and really enjoyed Abby’s company. When I tell my wife that Abby is coming her whole mood brightens. Even our dog gets excited and waits at the window for Abby and goes crazy when she arrives. When Abby is here I hear a lot of giggling and good cheer. When I come home at the end of Abby’s stay my wife is so relaxed and happy. Abby is a sensitive and caring person who is a credit to your organization.

Robert
In-Home Respite Services Client

Special Thanks