Caregiver Relief Program board member Ruby Ewing sold more than $800 in tickets for the pancake supper, held Tuesday evening at First Methodist Church. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge]

A delicious pancake supper was the payoff.

For $3, supporters were able to purchase tickets to the pancake supper Tuesday evening with proceeds benefiting Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County (CGRBC), which has been active in the county for the last 14 years.

CGRBC, a United Way of Bedford County member agency, assists the caregivers and/or family members of people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease by providing, among other things, nursing support, education, medical assessment, referrals and free respite visits for the caregiver.

This program, directed by Joyce Adams, is the only one in Tennessee which provides free nursing visits in the home.

Tuesday's supper, which was in memory of the late Sharon Benshoof, provided a great example of what good teamwork can produce as the men of the church worked hard to provide a hot, fresh plate of pancakes to each person who showed up to either eat in the fellowship hall and dine with friends or carry dinner home.

The program supports caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and dementia, from which approximately 800 Bedford Countians suffer. Dementia patients often prematurely enter nursing homes as a result of caregiver burnout rather than disease progression. The CGRBC aims to keep persons with dementia in their homes for, on average, about one year longer than they would without the support of the program.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, by 2020 there will be 14 million elderly in need of long-term care. With nursing homes costing about $44,000 per year per patient, CGRBC provides a substantial savings to families and government on all levels.