Respite Care Atlanta

Our Mission

Respite Care Atlanta’s mission is to provide spiritually integrated respite care for adults with cognitive challenges. We provide an environment for intellectual stimulation, physical exercise and meaningful connections, with support for caregivers through information and community resources.

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Our Mission

Respite Care Atlanta’s mission is to provide spiritually integrated respite care for adults with cognitive challenges. We provide an environment for intellectual stimulation, physical exercise and meaningful connections, with support for caregivers through information and community resources.

The Need

The Reality

Research indicates the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. About 10 percent of those age 65 and older (5.7 million) are living with Alzheimer’s. It is also estimated that 20 to 40 percent of dementia is attributable to other diseases, such as Vascular, Parkinson’s, and Lewy Body disease.

Growing Need

These numbers are projected to increase 29 percent by 2025. With no cure on the horizon, the population of citizens with dementia – and those assuming a caregiving role – will continue to increase. No other program is currently being offered in the proposed
geographic area.

The Program

Caregivers are superheroes, not superhumans. Caregivers are inclined to neglect their own health which consequently compromises caring for their loved one. Benefits
of this program extend to caregivers as well as participants.

“Respite Care Atlanta is a much-needed program providing daily activities for adults with cognitive difficulties. These activities not only promote the emotional and spiritual well-being of the participants, but will also provide welcomed respite for their caregivers,” ~Dr. Allan Levey, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at Emory University, and Director of Emory University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Reawakening

Catch the Spirit … Come Back in Person

“Reawakening” at Respite Care Atlanta (RCA) began March 14, 2020, the day after Covid shut down on-site, in-person respite care services. RCA’s dedicated staff and a core group of volunteers never stopped providing care services to participating community members and their families; people who continued the challenge and struggle of cognitive impairment – Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia.

During 14 months of Covid’s “no contact” 2020-2021, Respite Care Atlanta supported our participants and their families, by delivering cards and flowers, conducting socially distanced outdoor visits and delivering meals. They broadcast group gatherings on Zoom so everyone continued enjoying their favorite activities – music, singing, devotions, art, travel and educational programs and the all-time crowd favorite “Dinner and a Movie”.

Respite Care Atlanta reawakened limited “in person” programs for former participants on June 22, 2021. The program gathers participants and volunteers two mornings per week, Tuesday and Thursday; 10:00am until 12:30pm; Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. The limited summer gatherings allow Respite Care Atlanta to initiate and thoroughly test new precautions and procedures designed to keep participants, caregivers and volunteers safe.

Respite Care Atlanta will resume their full in person program operations (3 to 4 days per week, 4 hours per day with lunch served) in September, 2021. We are now accepting new member and family inquiries, visits and applications for the Fall 2021 sessions.

To learn more about Respite Care Atlanta’s Volunteer led programs, please contact Jenna Smith, Director, Respite Care Atlanta for information.