EXPANDING A VOLUNTEER RESPITE WORKFORCE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CAREGIVERS IN NEW YORK STATE

Through efforts of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program based at the Univeristy of Rochester a partnership was establsihed with Lifespan, an aging services network provider in Upstate New York, to expand volunteer respite programs statewide using the Respite Education and Support Tools (REST) in a train-the-trainer model. REST is an evidenced-informed, professionally designed Train-the-Trainer course that provides respite education to those who then go out and train others to be REST Companions, also known as respite care workers, volunteers, or providers. Implementation, evaluation, expansion, and sustainability of this REST model will be discussed as well as outcome data on worforce expansion and hours of respite care as a result of the Lifespan Respite initiative.