Valley Adult Day Services awarded grant
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced that it has awarded a $5,000 grant to Valley Adult Day Services, in Porterville, to provide respite care services for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. Valley Adult Day Services was one of fifteen organizations in nine states to receive grants as part of AFA’S Milton and Phyllis Berg Respite Care Grant program.
Grant funding will support Valley Adult Day Services’ personcentered adult day program, which cares for individuals living with dementia, and cognitive and physical impairment, while specializing in Alzheimer’s disease care. The program provides care for participants while affording caregivers a much needed break to tend to other important needs. Additionally, Valley Adult Day Services offers caregivers support groups, training programs, classes and workshops, legal referrals, advocacy, an extensive resource library, and more.
“We are so honored to have been chosen as one of the recipients of the 2019 Spring Respite Care Grant. The work of AFA is remarkable and we are humbled to be a part of this wonderful organization,” said Kayla Muller, Executive Director of Valley Adult Day Services. “Funding for this grant will go to provide respite care for family caregivers in the Tulare County area, providing care for the victims of this devastating disease. This funding will allow us to provide day programming services to those families that find the cost of the program beyond their financial abilities, providing the caregiver with much needed respite from the caregiving responsibilities. We want to say ‘Thank you,’ for this support not only to our program but to the Alzheimer’s and caregiving community of Tulare County.”
“Valley Adult Day Services provides valuable services in the local community. They play a vital role in improving the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their families,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’S president and CEO. “Their respite care program provides much-needed support to families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. We are pleased to help them deliver these important services to family caregivers and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s.”
“As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to grow, we need to remember that it has a tremendous impact not only on those living with the disease, but the caregivers as well,” said AFA Board Treasurer, Barry Berg. “It is a tremendous responsibility for caregivers. It is important for them to be able to take time for themselves, maintain their own
health, and recharge so that they can provide the best quality care to their loved ones.”
The Milton and Phyllis Berg Respite Care Grants are awarded to organizations that share AFA’S mission of providing support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide. They were created in response to the overwhelming need for respite care as a result of caregiving responsibilities. Funding is awarded twice a year. The grants are named in honor of the deceased parents of Barry E. Berg, who has served on AFA’S Board of Trustees since 2004. Mr. Berg’s mother, Phyllis, lived with Alzheimer’s disease and his father, Milton, was her primary caregiver.
Caregivers who need information about respite care services can contact AFA’S Helpline at 866-232-8484 and speak with a licensed social worker, or connect through AFA’S website, www.alzfdn.org. The Helpline is open 7 days a week.