In mid May, House Bill 1044 was signed by Governor Purdue to allow Congregational Respite Programs, like Mt. Bethel’s, to exist separately from Adult Day Cares that will require licensing by the state.
Representative Len Walker, also an Associate Minister at St. Luke UMC, spearheaded HB1044 once the realization of the 5 year journey with Georgia’s DHR decided not to exempt Congregational Programs from licensing.
Dawn Reed, Director of Mt. Bethel’s Older Adult Center, worked with Rep. Walker and other Directors of similar Congregational Respite programs to write HB1044 and create the awareness of just how different a Congregational Respite Program can be from even a social model Adult Day Care. The main aspect of HB1044 deals with the services that a program like Mt. Bethel provides. “Respite Care Services Program” means a program for aging adults who can function in a group setting and who can feed and toilet themselves with or without the assistance of a personal aide accompanying them and which:
- Is operated by a nonprofit organization;
- Provides no more than 25 hours of services per week;
- Is managed by a director who has completed an adult day care services training and orientation program approved by the Department;
- Is staffed primarily by volunteers; and
- Has as its sole purpose to provide primary caregivers of aging adults with relief from normal care giving duties and responsibilities.
Social and medical model Adult Day Cares, that will now be licensed in the state of Georgia, offer medication assistance, assistance with ADL’s and have a staff ration of 1:8. Mt. Bethel’s program which works with trained volunteers & staff, has a ratio of 1:5.
Dawn
I had the blessing to serve communion to the Participants and volunteers at the Older Adult Day Respite program. I arrived a little early, and joined them as they finished their music time. They were singing Blue Suede Shoes, Baby Face, and some other familiar favorites. Their song leader had them sharing about their Father’s and what advice they had received from their Dads. It was touching to hear them share their sweet memories between songs.
After music was over we shared the service of Holy Communion together. I asked them how many had attended VBS as children, and all of them had. They all had fond memories of their VBS experiences. I told them that at VBS this week we were showing and telling about Jesus, and the great love God has for us. It reminded me of “show and tell” back in grade school. I shared with them how Jesus is the ultimate show and tell. In John 1: 14 it says, “The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth“(NIV) John tells us Jesus is the Word. The Word (Jesus) tells us of the Father and his great love for us. A love so great that he sent his only Son to come and live among us to show us how to live and love the way God had designed for us. We sang a verse of “I love to tell the story” and ended in prayer. The precious folks were so glad to have been able to share communion, and some fond memories. They showed me that we’re never to old for a little show and tell.
Pastor Kim
Program Volunteers: Early retirees, youth (13 +), college students home for the summer, anyone with a heart for Seniors. (Once a month or more! 10:30-2:30 M, T, W, TH)
Activity Volunteers: Musicians, Artists, or anyone with a Special Hobby or Talent to share. (anytime 10:30 – 2:30 M, T, W, TH)
Lunch Volunteers: Friends, Neighbors, or Families that enjoy cooking. Pre-prepare in your home a lunch or snack for our morning “Snack and Yak”. (one time or once a month)
Please call Allison Fischer at 770-579-9224 for more information.
In mid May, House Bill 1044 was signed by Governor Purdue to allow Congregational Respite Programs, like Mt. Bethel’s, to exist separately from Adult Day Cares that will require licensing by the state.
