Respite program matches students with elders

THURSDAYS WITH LEO—Kicking back on the porch, Temple alumnus Leo Bass, left, spins a story for senior Shawn Simmons, an education major. Simmons, a Time Out Respite Program student, says Bass is like family to him now.

Time out! That little phrase means a lot of things to different people. In sports, a time out lets the team regroup in the middle of the action. In parenting, a time out is a disciplinary action. And at Temple University’s Center for Intergenerational Learning, Time Out is a respite and support program that matches college students with older adults for companionship.

“This is a program that mobilizes area college students to provide caregivers a break or a ‘time out’ from caring for a loved one,” said Susan G. Smith, project director. “It’s an opportunity to do something very positive that will have an impact on another family.”

Students go through 10 hours of intensive training to learn the ropes of dealing with older community members. They also must give two references to be accepted into the program. The next training sessions are May 15 and 16 for the summer period and September 20 and 21 for the fall. There will also be a training session in January.

Smith emphasized that the Time Out program is a matchmaking service, not an agency.

“Students are hired and paid by the family,” said Smith, adding that students earn $7 an hour in the program. “We work with families who are dealing with such things as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and cancer. And while we can’t provide personal care, we can do things like make a meal, go to the store, take them to the doctor, read to them, remind them to take their medication.

“But one of the most important things a student does is stimulate them by providing fun activities or engaging them in hobbies that they have,” Smith continued. “Not only does this help the older person, but students learn about themselves. I have seen such growth in their sense of self-esteem, and in their ability to communicate with other generations.”

Senior Shawn Simmons, an education major, joined the program last summer when he was paired with Leo Bass, a 1941 Temple alumnus who lives in Germantown. Over time, he’s watched Bass become more healthy and developed a relationship with Bass’ family.

“They’re my adopted new family,” Simmons said. “I love these people. They do nothing but make me laugh, and I really feel when my time with this program is finished, I will still be close to them.”

Freshman Jessica Herring also spoke highly of her experiences with a South Philadelphia resident.

“I am helping her put together a photo album for her family,” Herring said. “She explains all the pictures as we go along. We talk a lot about the war, and it is so interesting to see the similarities between her experiences during World War II and mine today.”

Funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Time Out program recruits from all area colleges and universities and requires an 8-hour per month commitment from each student. In addition to paying the student wage, families also pay a $25 annual registration fee.

Students put in more than 11,000 hours last year alone for 116 families, and Smith looks forward to more matchmaking this year.

“It’s an important resource for families because it’s affordable,” Smith said. “When we first go in everyone is nervous because people don’t know why students want to do this.

“But we have students from all kinds of majors,” she continued. “Most are from social work, [pre-health professions] and psychology, but we’ve had students from theater, hospitality and tourism, business and journalism, too. They realize that they are going to have to deal with all kinds of people and this gives them experience with issues of aging.”

Smith takes students to meet the families before employment begins to make sure that all are comfortable with the situation. She also verifies that student availability meets up with the seniors’ schedules. Once everything is set, the rewards start to flow, she said.

“Students really learn from these experiences, and older people appreciate that they want to learn,” Smith said. “It makes them feel valued.”

The Time Out program has been matching students with elders for 15 years. For more information about the program, whether you’re a student wanting to get involved or a caregiver needing a break, call Smith at 204-6540.

— Helen H. Thompson