Janice turned the corner into her Pasadena neighborhood, hoping she was one of the lucky few whose home was still standing. Tears stung her eyes, and her heart beat faster as she beheld the incredible devastation. Her home and those of all her neighbors were now reduced to piles of ash.
Her grandparents had built this house so many years ago and now it was gone.
She had raised her children here. Her mother had grown up in this home and Janice was now caring for her mother who had developed dementia in her later years. She wondered where they all would go now.
Thankfully, her cousins lived in Santa Barbara and invited them to stay with their family. But what about her mother? How could Janice care for her mother and navigate all the hurdles that lay ahead?
Someone told her about Friendship Center, a Santa Barbara based facility providing daycare for older adults with dementia and respite for their caregivers.
Janice was encouraged to discover that Friendship Center had just created the Emergency Respite Care Program in response to the destructive wildfires impacting communities across Los Angeles County.
Friendship Center is stepping up to support caregivers of older adults, particularly those living with dementia-related conditions. The new program offers no-cost, short-term care for individuals temporarily displaced to the Central Coast who need caregiving assistance.
“Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be especially challenging during times of crisis, compounding the stress many families already face,” said Kathryn Westland, Executive Director of Friendship Center. “We recognize the profound impact these catastrophic events have on family caregivers and developed this program to offer them the time and support need to recover and plan their next steps.
Program Highlights:
- No-cost respite care for up to two weeks for eligible families
- Person-centered support for individuals living with dementia or related cognitive conditions
- Meals, supervision, and personal care provided
- Streamlined enrollment for quick access to services
- Families who wish to continue attending our programs beyond two weeks may do so by completing a standard intake process.
Families who have relocated to the Central Coast due to the wildfires and are caring for an older adult with dementia are encouraged to take advantage of this program.
“Santa Barbara has witnessed firsthand the resilience and compassion a supportive community can provide in times of crisis, and we are committed to extending that same support to our Southern California neighbors,” said Westland.
Friendship Center is dedicated to providing essential support for older adults living with dementia and related conditions. The center offers a range of programs designed to help both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers navigate the challenges of daily life.
For more information about the Emergency Respite Care Program, and instructions on how to sign up, please visit the Friendship Center website.