St Joseph’s Parish Nurse Ministry

Respite Program

Do you like to help someone in need? Do you have some free time? One hour a month? One hour a week? More? The St. Joseph’s Parish Nurse Ministry is starting a NEW Respite Program and we need YOU!

Respite – is the short-term or temporary break a caregiver needs

from caring for a loved one. It is known to help reduce stress

for caregivers.

We are looking for volunteers to help caregivers and homebound individuals. Caregivers are people who are caring for their loved ones at home instead of placement in a facility. These people sometimes need someone to stay with their loved one, while they have some personal time away from home. A homebound person does not have the ability and/or resources needed to leave their home without assistance. They may need volunteers to provide companionship or assist with errands or personal matters.

Respite volunteers are companions visiting with the person to be sure they are safe while the caregiver is away. This may be sitting with the person or possibly playing games, watching TV, reading a book to them, etc. You are not there for any kind of personal care. You are a visitor for a shut-in or allowing the caregiver some personal time.

There will be a Respite Directory. The Directory will list all the volunteers available from the St Joseph’s Community, and the volunteers’ basic contact information, type of respite willing to provide (caregiver and/or homebound), and days available. The directory will be available to caregivers and homebound individuals upon request to the Parish Nurse Ministry. It will be the person’s responsibility to use the list responsibly to find a volunteer to meet their needs.

Disclaimer: St Joseph’s and the Parish Nurse Ministry do not endorse any volunteers in the Respite Directory. This is done as a service for our parish community.

If you think you might be interested in this new program, please contact Linda at 288-0906 or email rainbeaus@live.com with “Respite” in subject line.

Sample Directory

Name	Zip	Contact #	Alternate Contact #	Errands Y/N	Drive to MD appt Y/N	Activity Preference	Male Female Either
Jean Baj	32223	880-1078		Y	Y	Any	Either
John Doe	32257	134-2244	117-8876	N	?	Read, games,	Male