We all know how banks work. You deposit your money in the bank, and when you need it you write a check or use your ATM card to get some money in hand...Alzheimer's Reading Room
I wonder how many Alzheimer's caregivers had the same or a similar thought. A national respite care bank.
How about a national program where you could bank your time by providing respite care for one or more persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease; and then, when you need some rest you could go to the bank and make a withdrawal.
Here is a simple version of what I am envisioning.
Let's say I agree to take two persons suffering from Alzheimer's for four hours a week. I add them to my group of one, Dotty, and arrange some type of activity. Lets say I'll take my group of three to the movies. Or, to Mc Donalds for lunch and a walk.
Or we could simplify matters. Let say the two Alzheimer's patients are delivered by their Alzheimer's caregiver to our home, and I arrange a few activities in house for the 2- 4 hour period.
In this example, I agree to watch and entertain two persons with Alzheimer's for 4 hours. At the end of the 4 hour period, I now have 8 hours of respite care in the bank.
This program would require some organization. However, I am not suggesting that the government get involved. You know, we need to learn how to do some things for ourselves. Besides, if the government or the Alzheimer's organizations were going to help they would already be doing this or something similar.
My first thought is that we could arrange this through our churches. No doubt someone(s) would need to volunteer to do the scheduling and keep track of the scheduling. Now that I think of it, the church might be able to provide some space where we could use round tables for a sing along, or some sort of activity of this nature.
We could control the numbers by limiting the ratio to two Alzheimer's patients to one Alzheimer's caregivers. A two to one ratio. The caregiver would be required to take part in the activity, and stay nearby the Alzheimer's patients at all time. They would need to actively participate.
Alzheimer's caregivers like to complain. They like to complain that the government or some association is not doing enough.
Maybe we should start thinking about taking control of our own lives.
It is clear to me, here, that Alzheimer's caregivers do have a natural affinity for one another. We like, admire, and respect each other.
I am now imagining what I might do with my 8 hours of respite care that are in the bank.
Hmm, the possibilities are endless.
Maybe some of the support group facilitators or moderators could take this idea into their groups and discuss it. Then come back and tell us about the reaction they receive.
Then, we can discuss the concept and disabuse those that will automatically conclude that this could never work that in fact it could and can work.
Use the Add Comments box below, or write and submit your own article on this topic.
Alzheimer's Disease -- Advice and Insight
- Alzheimer's and Children
- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
- Generic Aricept (Donepezil) Clarification
- Alzheimer's Disease, Types of Dementia, and What is the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia
- What Was the First Sign of Alzheimer's Disease in Your Case?
- Alzheimer's Disease and the Five Stages of Grief
- Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Advice and Insight (20 articles)
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's Disease (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
- Alzheimer's Disease Statistics
- Alzheimer's Disease and Driving
- Alzheimer's Caregiving Dealing with Behavior
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What is Dementia?
- What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Alzheimer's Disease -- Living in the Front Row
- Urinary Tract Infections, Urinary Incontinence, Poop (8 Articles)
Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The blog contains more than 2,255 articles with more than 272,100 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
 The Alzheimer's Action Plan |  300 Tips for Making Life Easier |
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room