What is CARE?
Escapees
CARE, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit adult day care and residency program
designed for RVers whose travels are permanently ended because of
age or temporarily interrupted because of an illness.
Where is
it and who runs it?
It
is in Livingston, Texas, adjoining Rainbow's End campground and
Escapees headquarters. It is governed by its own Board of Directors,
all of whom are volunteers. Heading the professional staff is a Facility Director, who handles business affairs, and a program nurse
in charge of the licensed day care program.
How does
it work for the residents?
A
resident's RV is parked on a CARE Center site. Personal and health
care is available through a professional staff on weekdays. Residents return to their own RV with the security of
knowing someone is within call if needed.
Who is eligible to come to CARE?
Escapees CARE, Inc. offers two programs:
The adult day care program is open to the public at large. and the resident program requires Escapees RV Club membership. If Escapees CARE, Inc. has four (4) or less openings, a new resident must have been an Escapees RV Club member for a period of one year or more before being accepted as an Escapees CARE resident. If Escapees CARE, has five (5) or more openings, a new resident can join the Escapees RV Club on the day they become a resident of Escapees CARE.
Both programs have different acceptance requirements. Please call the Facility Nurse and discuss your needs with her (936) 327-4256.
Is it true
that CARE is where you go to die?
Many
people stay only long enough to recuperate from illness or surgery.
Others plan to make CARE their final home. Some who "came here
to die" are traveling again, thanks to today's medical miracles.
Will I have
to leave if my health deteriorates?
Every
attempt is made to modify individual care plans to accommodate changing
needs. We hope most people in terminal stages will be able to die
in their own RV home, surrounded by friends who truly care about
them. If a physician determines there is a need for more help than
we can provide, or if physical or mental capacity deteriorates to
the point of being a danger to anyone, we help the family to make
other arrangements.
Can I bring
my pet with me?
Yes.
Your pet (under 50lbs, unless it's a certified working service dog) is welcome as long as you are able to properly care for
it and can control its social behavior.
Do you accept
single people?
Yes,
except for advanced stage of certain illnesses when it isn't safe
for you to be alone at night and on weekends.
What is
the entrance fee?
There is no deposit or entrance fee. You pay one month in advance. The resident program is $824/month for the first person and $412/month for the second person. See section "What is Included?" for a description of services included.
When is
the Center open?
The
day care program operates on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The building is open evenings and weekends for socializing. Three
meals are served every day with the help of volunteers and staff.
May I leave
for short periods to travel?
Yes.
To retain your site and use of the storage shed, you pay a fee - if you are gone for a full month.
Or you can give up your site and be placed on another one (if available)
when you return.
Do you accept
people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia?
Yes,
but with dementia residents we may require a caregiver since
our program only provides supervision during the day. Our purpose
is not only to assure that the resident is safe, but also to
provide daytime relief for these caregivers. Other caregivers parked
beside you provide emotional support. Living in a caregiver setting
in your own RV is something no other program offers. Our Alzheimer's
Day Care Program features a coded door system and allows freedom
of movement while keeping residents and clients from wandering into unsafe
places.
What medical
services does Livingston have?
It
has an ambulance and paramedic services plus a dialysis unit and
home health and hospice agencies. There is a well-equipped hospital
that can do most diagnostic tests and operations plus an emergency
department. And Houston, less than 75 miles away, is well known
for its many specialty hospitals.
How do I
know if it is time to go to CARE?
If
you no longer feel in control while driving, can't remember if you've
taken your medicine properly, or if you find cleaning, cooking,
and doing laundry are becoming difficult, this may be the time to
enter CARE rather than waiting for a catastrophic occurrence that
forces you into a local nursing home. Sometimes friends and relatives
have to tell us it is time to get help.
Why are
your fees lower than other ADCs?
Our
prices will continue to be low because of donations from many Escapees
who provided the funds to build the CARE Center without any loans.
Their ongoing support allows us to continue to serve even low income
residents and clients.
Is CARE
the right choice for me?
Why
not give us a try? You can fly to Bush Intercontinental Airport
in Houston where a volunteer will meet you and bring you to CARE,
where you can stay at Pearl's Place, a completely equipped cottage,
while you try out the new program.
If you've already
decided this is the program for you, admission can be quickly accomplished
if you FAX your application to: Attention: Nurse at 936-327-6428.
And remember,
coming to the CARE facility is not a for-the-rest-of-your-life decision.
Because there is no admission fee, you will not lose money if you
decide to leave. You pay one month at a time, in advance, so any
time you are ready to go back on the road you can do so.
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