MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2024 — American City & County has named the Home Away From Home Respite Program, a collaborative initiative from the Livingston County Office for the Aging and several local partners, as a 2023 winner of its annual Crown Communities Award. The award recognizes city or county projects from across the country that have had a positive impact on their local community as a whole.
Since its inception in 2015, the Home Away from Home Respite Program has provided vital caregiver respite services in Livingston County through innovative service delivery. The program identified and addressed a gap in existing local caregiver services by providing a secure environment for individuals requiring care to spend up to eight hours per week. This initiative offers caregivers a valuable break to tend to personal matters and avoid caregiver stress and burnout, symptoms commonly experienced by those dedicating time and energy to manage the health and safety of someone else.
“When local partners come together with a shared purpose they can effectively address and fulfill the diverse needs of a community,” said Livingston County Office for the Aging Director Sue Carlock. “This recognition underscores the program’s exceptional impact on our community, offering crucial support to caregiver and care receivers alike. This initiative’s success is directly related to the dedication of our partners and the resilience of our participants.”
The Home Away From Home Respite Program is a collaborative effort between the Livingston County Office for the Aging, Noyes Community Outreach Services, Livingston Cares, SUNY Geneseo, the Interfaith Center, Lifespan, and the NYS Caregiver Resource Center to address the needs of caregivers experiencing physical, mental or emotional exhaustion.
The program is funded through the Administration for Community Living, the NYS Office for the Aging, the NYS Caregiving and Respite Coalition, Livingston County, participant contributions, and grants. The involvement of SUNY Geneseo students as volunteers has made the program a cost-effective solution for caregivers. In-home respite services of a similar duration are often cost prohibitive for those in need. As a Crown Communities Award winner, the Home Away From Home Respite Program now serves as a model for community-driven initiatives nationwide.
Read more about the Crown Communities Award on the American City & County website. Learn more about events and programs for older County residents at the Livingston County Office for the Aging website or by calling 585-243-7520.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.