Submitted by: Roberto Velasquez, President & CEO, Southern Caregiver Resource Center

Established in 1987 as a 501c3, Southern Caregiver Resource Center (SCRC) is the leading provider of caregiver support services in San Diego County. SCRC’s mission is to help families and communities master the challenges of caring for adults with chronic and disabling conditions. For over 38 years, SCRC has helped thousands of families caring for older adults and loved ones living with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke and traumatic brain injury. Services include comprehensive caregiver assessments and care planning, case management, counseling, caregiver training, community education, support groups, and respite care.   

SCRC’s respite care program is a vital component of a well-rounded care plan for family caregivers, especially for family caregivers providing support to a loved one with a neurodegenerative disorder like Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of all dementing disorders that affect thinking, memory, and a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, dementia-related symptoms make each day more challenging for the caregiver. Eventually, the individual with Alzheimer’s becomes completely dependent on a caregiver.  

Studies have shown that caring for a person with dementia usually has significant negative effects on caregivers. For example, prevalence of depressive symptoms is high in virtually all studies, up to 30-50%. The more severe the case of dementia, the more likely the caregiver is to experience depression. Researchers have found that one in four people who provide care for a family member with dementia have contemplated suicide more than once in the last year.  

The provision of respite has demonstrated to help decrease caregiver burden and depression, increase the caregiver’s ability to care for the care recipient in the home setting, delay institutionalization for the care recipient, and decrease incidence of elder abuse.  

In FY 23-24, SCRC provided over 30,000 hours of respite care to 428 family caregivers. 86% of family caregivers reported they were better able to manage the care of the care receiver, and 85% reported they felt more competent as a caregiver.  

Success Story  

SCRC’s Family Consultant called Tony, a former Support Group member and client. Tony reported that he stopped attending the Support Group because he began participating in SCRC’s Caregiver TLC (Thrive, Learn, Connect) class and found it to be “so very helpful and supportive.” Tony said that he feels “sustained” and in a “good place” in his life. He thanked SCRC for respite hours and case management because he was “really struggling.” He indicated that he is optimistic and has “some gas in his engine” to keep going with his caregiving journey. 

“The respite care services have been a great blessing for our family. As a caregiver, it has allowed me time to disconnect and relax knowing that my loved one is safe and in good hands. I come back in a better state of mind, and I am able to provide better care.” 

Learn more about Southern Caregiver Resource Center’s programs and services to find support and resources for your caregiving journey.