Caregiver praises Respite Haven program, urges more local respite sites

Sia McDermott told the Jefferson County Health & Human Services committee that Respite Haven, a free program run through the Office for the Aging in Watertown, gave her vital respite as the sole caregiver for her husband, Gary, who developed Alzheimer’s in his late 70s.

McDermott described arriving at a point of exhaustion when out‑of‑pocket local services were unaffordable and Medicaid transitions were impractical amid full‑time caregiving. She said Respite Haven offered Gary structured, meaningful activities and social contact on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and that the program’s staff and volunteers made the site “alive with fun and meaningful activities.” McDermott said the program was not “just a place to park him” but a source of joy for Gary and relief for her, and she urged more of the county’s aging networks to create similar respite locations so other caregivers would have access to respite time.