The Top 3 Questions About Our New RISE Program
Respite in Student Engagement (RISE) connects families caring for someone living with dementia, with students from Arizona State University to offer affordable respite care. Here’s what caregivers almost always ask about the program!
Q: Do families need to have activities planned for students during visits?
A: No. We provide students with information about your family member’s interests, hobbies, and preferences ahead of time. Visits are flexible and centered around what is most comfortable and meaningful. The connection they develop over time naturally helps guide activities and conversation.
Q: How should families describe this program to a loved one living with dementia?
A: We encourage families to present RISE as an intergenerational experience and an opportunity to connect with a student who is eager to learn from an older adult’s life experiences. Students participate as part of their educational and career development in the healthcare fields, and many meaningful relationships grow from these visits.
Q: How many hours are families required to sign up for?
A: RISE has a minimum visit schedule of once per week for two hours, but they can schedule as many visits as desired, depending on student availability and schedules.
A person does not need to have an official dementia diagnosis to qualify for RISE. Students can make visits to people living at home or a facility.