OKC Center Boosts Dementia Respite Care with Major Grant

A vital Oklahoma City resource for seniors, the Metropolitan Better Living Center, has received a significant grant to enhance its services. This crucial funding from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation will dramatically expand respite care, offering much-needed support for individuals living with dementia and their dedicated caregivers in the community.

Northeast OKC Center Awarded Major Dementia Respite Grant

The Metropolitan Better Living Center, a long-standing nonprofit providing essential activities and services for older adults and disabled individuals across two locations in northeast Oklahoma City, has been awarded a substantial $250,000 grant. This critical funding comes from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation, a nationwide initiative specifically designed to enhance respite services for people living with dementia and their caregivers throughout the country.

As one of only 21 first-year grant recipients in a highly competitive five-year program, the Metropolitan Better Living Center stands out in its commitment to addressing the growing needs of an estimated 11 million dementia caregivers nationally. CEO Jacquelyn Parks highlighted the profound focus on knowledge and education this grant brings, stating, “That Alzheimer’s grant is all about knowledge… It’s all about education, what we can learn from the association and what we can teach other people. They’re going to train us more, help us where we need help, and we want to do the best we can to make that happen and get the grant again.”

The Critical Need for Respite Care in Our Community

Respite care provides caregivers with temporary rest from their demanding role, ensuring that the person living with Alzheimer’s disease continues to receive consistent, person-centered care in a supportive environment. This vital support can be delivered at home by family, friends, or paid services, or in professional and community-based settings like an adult day care center.

Letina Itaman, the center’s program and grant manager and a public policy PhD candidate, expressed her passion for Alzheimer’s and dementia education, especially given its disproportionate impact on minority populations locally and nationally. She observes many community members feeling “frustrated and uncertain of how to care for a loved one whose behavior they no longer recognize” due to the disease’s progression, often leading to denial and difficulty coping.

The emotional and physical toll on caregivers is significant. Research, including insights from the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, reveals that the intense demands on dementia caregivers often lead to serious risks to their own health and well-being. Meggie Gaskins, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, starkly warned that neglecting self-care can tragically lead to the death of some caregivers. “Sometimes respite care just means that the caregiver can take a nap or get better sleep,” Gaskins explained. “Whatever they need to take care of for their own physical or mental well-being and their own needs, we want them to know and feel safe in that their loved one is taken care of while they’re away.” She also noted the varied progression of Alzheimer’s, which can last anywhere from a few years to two decades.

Expanding Vital Services and Community Partnerships

With this new grant, the Metropolitan Better Living Center is poised to introduce much-needed 24-hour nighttime respite care. This expanded service is particularly crucial for supporting caregivers through the challenging “sundowning” stage, where individuals with dementia often experience increased confusion and agitation during the evening. Itaman emphasized, “with this grant, we have the opportunity to educate them, the opportunity to keep their loved ones during that ‘sundowning’ stage so that they can still get that rest that they need to be mentally stable, physically stable and healthy.”

The center, originally founded by Juanita Davis at 1407 NE 10 in Oklahoma City over three decades ago, has a rich history of community service. Current CEO Jacquelyn Parks, Davis’s daughter, took over the reins and understands firsthand the challenges of maintaining such a vital resource, especially after facing cuts in local funding in previous years. The grant’s focus on cost-effective, person-centered models is vital, particularly for the center’s mission to prioritize services for low-income families.

Strong Community Support and Recognition

The significance of this achievement was celebrated at the center’s 38th annual Achievers Banquet. Prominent community leaders in attendance included Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Rachel Holt, the new CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma, a long-time partner of the center. Rachel Holt expressed strong support, stating, “Jackie’s such a special person, and on behalf of United Way I look forward to supporting the efforts that they do.”

Other esteemed guests publicly recognized for their contributions included Isabella Lawson, CEO of Community Health Centers of Oklahoma; Demetra Bailey, owner of The Kitchen, a local soul food restaurant that has provided meals during difficult times; the Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma; and the family of Shirley Darrell, who made history as the first Black person elected as an Oklahoma County commissioner in 1982.

Frequently Asked Questions About Respite Care in OKC

• What is the Metropolitan Better Living Center?
  It’s a nonprofit adult day center in northeast Oklahoma City, offering activities and services for older adults and disabled individuals.
• What does the new $250,000 grant enable?
  The grant from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation will fund the expansion of services to include 24-hour nighttime respite care and enhanced education on dementia, with a focus on low-income families.
• Why is respite care crucial for dementia caregivers?
  Respite care provides temporary breaks, allowing caregivers to rest and attend to their own physical and mental health, thus preventing burnout and enabling them to continue providing high-quality care to their loved ones with dementia.
• Who is behind the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation?
  It was established by the Alzheimer’s Association after receiving $25 million in federal grant funding from a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• How does this grant benefit Oklahoma City’s low-income families?
  By piloting cost-effective respite care models, the grant directly addresses the financial and access barriers faced by low-income families, ensuring that more caregivers can access vital support without undue financial burden.

This significant investment in the Metropolitan Better Living Center underscores a vital commitment to the health and well-being of Oklahoma City’s dementia patients and their tireless caregivers, fostering a more compassionate and supportive community for all.

OKC Center Awarded Grant to Expand Dementia Respite