The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS, has recently launched a new caregiver respite care program called EXHALE. It’s funded through a $300,000 grant for three years.

Amne Darwish-Talab is the director of Social Services at ACCESS, and she oversees EXHALE. She says the new program supports caregivers through bi-monthly gatherings, connecting to resources and recreational outings.

“We want to do all this with the aim of the program by having caregivers of all backgrounds join fellow caregivers twice a month for connection and support from health providers and other experts,” she shares.

Talab says the program aims to break stigma and stereotypes around caregiving in a culturally sensitive environment. She says in the Arab American culture, caregiving is a family obligation. 

“There’s a stigma around having a non-family member taking care of the elderly in the family, or this also extends to the notion of even placing an elderly in a facility such as a nursing home or rehab or any type of living where they’re going to be living away from the family,” she says. 

Talab says many times family members get burned out and need extra support, but people are hesitant to ask for help for fear of judgement. The EXHALE program aims to overcome stigma by connecting people to culturally appropriate supplemental resources and assistance as needed.

“Society is changing, and the duties of the children or grandchildren or daughters-in-law, or whoever it may be, or siblings, has changed, because the lifestyles have changed, and now most of the family members are working. And sometimes they’re forced to reach out for assistance for their caregiving,” she explains. 

Through the EXHALE program, caregivers receive an annual stipend.

The grant was awarded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. ACCESS partnered with the Senior Alliance for this support group.

For more information, visit bit.ly/ExhaleProgram.