Pancake supper funds Caregiver Relief Program

Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County board member Pam Birtcil serves pancakes to Carlyle and Frances Langley Tuesday night. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Order this photo]

Provide those helpers with pancakes, and they might even go the extra mile.

The Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County's annual pancake supper, held Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, proved this.

Men's group member and local dentist Dr. Jay Davis helps out by flipping pancakes for the evening. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"We brought in over $3,900 last night, plus we'll have the (money raised from) the silent auction," and matching funds from Thrivent Financial (through Christ Lutheran and Crowell's Chapel Lutheran churches), said Joyce Adams, registered nurse and program director. "I had hoped for a little more but this isn't bad. We'll probably end up with more than $5,000."

Since 1993, CGRBC, a United Way agency, has assisted 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.

Tough struggle

Alzheimer's disease is marked by a gradual deterioration of the brain. As the disease progresses, memory is lost with a person's ability to make decisions, feed or dress himself/herself, use the bathroom, walk, talk or interact with others. Victims of the disease must be cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Caring for a loved one with dementia takes an emotional, social and financial toll on the caregiver.

Currently, CGRBC serves 22 families in Bedford County. It's the only program in Tennessee, and possibly the southeast, that provides free nursing care to patients with dementia, according to board president Dianne Whitwell.

"It is very, very difficult when you've got a family member with dementia," Whitwell said, explaining caring for the loved one takes its toll on the caregiver, emotionally, socially and financially. "This is an amazing program."

Supper helps

Besides United Way, CGRBC receives some funding through a grant from the Baptist Healing Trust -- and through the annual pancake supper, where board members, volunteers and members of First UMC's men's group prepare hundreds of dine-in and carry-out dinners comprised of hot and fluffy pancakes and sausage or bacon.

Adams, program director and the only R.N. on the board, is the heart of CGRBC.

"We're just the board that supports Joyce," Whitwell said. "She's the angel and an amazing Christian person. Her outreach goes way beyond her abilities as a nurse."

As program director, Adams works 23 hours a week. She visits families at least once a month, providing relief and education to the caregivers about respite, caregiving and how to handle certain situations.

Adams said CGRBC supplies caregivers with $50 a month. Combined with $60 they receive from the Tennessee Respite Coalition, families have $110 a month to use toward respite needs.

Job's rewards

Joyce Adams (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Adams said her job is one that's both emotional and gratifying.

"I have patients that can't remember me and family members who love me," laughed Adams.

Adams said as time goes on and relationships progress, things become more and more personal.

"I really get to know them," she said. "I love them and they love me. Yes, it is emotional."

Fun and funds

Tuesday night, Adams was optimistic about the fundraiser.

People showed up in droves to enjoy the pancakes, shop the silent auction, and listen to live music, a new addition to the supper this year.

Last year, $5,000 was raised, which is what Adams estimates will be this year's total, after ticket sales are combined with silent auction totals and the Lutheran churches' $1,600 in matching funds.

Ruby Ewing, CGRBC board member, again raised the most money -- $1,040 -- in terms of ticket sales and donations.

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, by allowing patients to remain in their homes longer, and government, according to board members.

What you can do

For more information about Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County, contact Joyce Adams at 685-9039.

Upcoming in the T-G

Look for more photos of the pancake supper on page 8B in Sunday's Times-Gazette.