YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Respite Care Charleston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to caregivers and those living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Our priority is to bring MORE. GOOD. DAYS.™ to families dealing with one of life's greatest challenges.
With several locations around the Lowcountry, RCC's half-day memory care program (respite) provides caregivers a break while bringing smiles to the faces of those they love. While we provide activities like singing, painting, memory fitness and light exercise - all designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia - the greatest benefit of our day program participants is simple pleasures of being with others.
For families and caregivers, RCC's support groups are a safe place to learn tips and tricks on dealing with the unique challenges that arise along the journey with Alzheimer's and dementia and to share laughter, tears and friendship in a confidential setting.
You are not alone. Respite Care Charleston can help.
FOUNDED IN 1996, WE ARE A 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT AND NON-DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
PARTICIPANTS ARE WELCOME REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY.
Areas of Focus
Respite Programs
Social day programs that assist people with dementia and offer caregivers relief.
Support Groups
If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, you are not alone.
Senior Moments
Education and social support for those with MCI or early-stage dementia.
Memory Care Day Program
Our half-day memory care (respite) program enables people with dementia to remain independent, maintain optimum physical and mental health, stay socially connected, and pursue interests and hobbies, all of which help to improve their quality of life.
Our Participants Enjoy:
Socialization | Memory Fitness Games | Gentle Exercise
Outdoor Activities | Art | Music | Pet Therapy
Healthy Meals | Intergenerational Interactions
No medical or nursing care is provided,
however, we can offer limited assistance with some activities of daily living.
Support For You
If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, you are not alone. We're here to help! Offered in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, our support groups are a free resource to learn from other caregivers and a safe place to share heartache, grief, frustrations, common experiences, and resources in a confidential setting.
Caregivers Receive:
• Information & education about Alzheimer's Disease & other forms of dementia
• Social support & compassion
• Problem solving strategies
• Friendship & guidance
• Access to educational publications and other materials
• Connections and referrals to community resources
Donate
Whether to honor a loved one, to help those on a journey you've traveled, or to support our work, we're grateful for your support! Your contribution will help Respite Care Charleston provide affordable respite care, scholarships for families with financial challenges, facilitated support groups, and one-on-one caregiver assistance. By supporting RCC, you'll have a direct impact on families right here in Charleston:
- $2,500 provides three months of Senior Moments support groups for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia;
- $1,000 funds ten group sessions with a certified art or music therapist;
- $250 supplies nutritious meals at RCC's half-day memory care program for a week; and
- $50 covers the cost of one caregiver consultation with personalized coaching, education, and resources.
Ways To Give:
- Make your gift online;
- Mail a check payable to Respite Care Charleston to
1605 Harbor View Rd., Charleston, SC 29412; - Send funds via CashApp ($respitecarechs), Venmo (@RCC-Charleston), or PayPal (RespiteCareChs)
- Donate appreciated securities (contact us for instructions);
- Direct a contribution from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF); or
- Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA.
(Donors must be 70.5 years or older. Gifts must be transferred directly from
your IRA to RCC. For questions, call: 843-647-7405)
For more detailed information about other ways to support Respite Care of Charleston, such as meal donations or including RCC in your estate plans, or if you simply have a question, please contact us at 843-647-7405.
Respite Care Charleston's federal nonprofit tax ID # is 45-1535756.
Funding Partners
Town of Mt. Pleasant Community Assistance Grant
SC Office on Aging - Alzheimer's Resource Coordination Center
Brookdale Foundation Group | Post & Courier Foundation
Kiawah Seabrook Exchange Club | Grace Church Tea Room
Joanna Foundation | Dabo's All in Team Foundation
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
A helping hand
Compassionate volunteers are key to making our programs fun and engaging. Whether you're looking to be more involved with your community, meet new people or just want to help out, sharing your time and talent at Respite Care Charleston will undoubtedly bring a smile to someone's face.
Click here for an insiders perspective on volunteering with RCC, then contact our team at 843.647.7405 or Info@RespiteCareCharleston.org to get started.
Help Us Bring Joy
• Lead a special activity
• Prepare or serve a meal
• Interact with participants
• Play a game to promote memory fitness
• And more . . . Share your talent!
Events
Online Registration | Registration Form | Sponsorship Information
For additional info or to volunteer, please contact us at info@RespiteCareCharleston.org or 843.647.7405.
Our Team
Executive Director
A graduate of Winthrop University (Marketing Communications) and the College of Charleston (Master of Public Administration), Sara has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit/public sector. She is a graduate of Leadership Charleston and was named one of one of the Charleston Regional Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" in 2016. Sara's passion for supporting those with dementia began with experiences with two grandparents, leading her to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Associate director
Wendy has spent her adult life interacting with families living with dementia while serving as a United Methodist pastor and a hospice chaplain, working in residential senior living facilities and supporting loved ones in her own family. She holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and a Masters in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. Wendy is passionate about creating communities of mutuality and support, something she's proud to do every day at RCC.
Board of Directors
Karen Nichols, RN, CHAIR, is an elder care consultant and educator working with Aging Life Care Charleston.
Amy Zonarich Powers, VICE-CHAIR, is a Realtor with Keller Williams West Ashley and former caregiver.
Cynthia Smalls-Middleton, RN, SECRETARY, is a Supervisor, Clinical System Administrator for Amerihealth Caritas and a former caregiver.
Quentin Jackson, TREASURER, is the former President and CEO of Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd.
John Hirsch is the retired Director of Strategic Initiatives for Wheaton College.
Bob Mason is a retired corporate recruiter.
Jenny McCulloch, MLIS is a retired library media specialist.
Cullen Murray-Kemp is the publisher of HealthLinks magazine.
Gerald Rittenberg, MD, is a retired radiologist and former caregiver.
Tasha Williams is Community Relations Director at Benton House of West Ashley.
Leticia Wine is a product owner, test center administrator and exam proctor with uExamS.
Schedule
Half-Day Memory Care (Respite) Programs
James Island - Martin Luther Church
Tuesdays & Fridays | 10am - 1:45pm
1605 Harbor View Rd.
Johns Island - St. John's Episcopal Church
Mondays & Thursdays | 10am - 1:45pm
3673 Maybank Hwy.
Mt. Pleasant - All Saints Lutheran Church
Mondays & Wednesdays | 10am - 1:45pm
2107 Highway 17 North
NEW** Mt. Pleasant - Olive Branch AME Church
Fridays
1734 North Highway 17
West Ashley - Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10am - 1:45pm
3075 Bees Ferry Rd.
North Charleston - New Francis Brown United Methodist Church
Wednesdays | 10am - 1:45pm
2517 Corona St.
Senior Moments
for those with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early Stage Dementia
Support Groups
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:00am
Martin Luther Church, James Island
2nd & 4th Fridays at 10:00am
Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Educational / Social Day Program
1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 10am - 1:45pm
Martin Luther Church, James Island
1st & 3rd Fridays | 10am - 1:45pm
Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Caregiver Support Groups
East Cooper - All Saints Lutheran Church
1st & 3rd Mondays at 10:00am
East Cooper - Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
2nd & 4th Fridays at 10:00am
JOHNS ISLAND - ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1st & 3rd Thursday at 10:00am-Noon
James Island - Martin Luther Church
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:00am
West Ashley - Waring Senior Center
2nd & 4th Saturdays at 10:00am
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP
for children caring for parents with dementia
1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00pm
Online Support Group*
1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00pm
* For more information on online support group meetings, or for support between meetings, contact us at 843-647-7405 or Info@RespiteCareCharleston.org.
Resources
You are not alone. Call us at 843.647.7405!
MUSC Center on Aging
SC Institute for Brain Health
Trident Area Agency on Aging
The ARK of Summerville
The 36-Hour Day
Welcome to Planet Alzheimer's
Respite Care Charleston | 1605 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
— A 501(c)(3) non-profit and non-denominational organization —