Second Family is a homebased volunteer program focused on helping individuals living with dementia, chronic illness or other challenges of aging. An extended family of trained volunteers offer support and companionship for homebound individuals with volunteers primarily serving members of their own congregation. Care Team volunteers may help with occasional home visits, companionship, and respite care but do not provide skilled care such as nursing, homemaker, attendant, hospice, or personal care services. Pre-registration is required.
This program was funded by a grant provided by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
To find a Second Family nearest you, enter your zip code below:
Step 1: Click the zip code locator search below to find a Second Family program near you. Do not contact the host site to register, all registration and eligibility to participate is completed by CarePartners.
Step 2: Only ONE email to a CarePartners Coordinator to learn more about how to register for a program near you is needed. In the email inquiry include the following:
- Cell or home phone number
- Your name and name of the person you are caring for
- Details about your need
- Name of each location you are interested in attending
Step 3: CarePartners Coordinator will email you back to set up a time to complete your registration intake before you are able to begin the program. This program is subject to the availability of the Second Family Care Team Volunteers.
FAQ’s
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What exactly is the Second Family program?
This program is designed to support the caregiver and individual with other challenges of aging. Caregivers who are caring for an individual who is homebound can register for this program and receive respite support.
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What is the cost for the Second Family program?
No cost
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Do I have to stay with my loved one while volunteers are in my home providing support?
No, you are welcome to leave your home while our volunteers provide compassionate and practical task support, or you are welcome to stay.
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What do the volunteers provide or not provide for individuals in the Second Family program?
We provide companionship, assistance with practical tasks and non-proselyting spiritual care for the individual (within reason).
We do not provide any skilled nursing, personal care support or housekeeping.
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When and where are Second Family programs located?
Second Family programs are an extension of a partnering congregation. We have more than 25 different partnerships providing volunteer support for individuals who are homebound and respite to their caregiver, if there is a caregiver caring for the homebound individual.
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What time is the Second Family program?
Our volunteers accommodate the caregiver and the individual living at home. They accommodate the needs of the individual and caregiver in the program (within reason).
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How do I register to participate in the program?
We need to learn a little bit more about you and the person you are caring for before you can participate in the Second Family program.
Go to the contact us page, fill out the inquiry form or you can call 713-682-5995 or email Tom Breaux, for more information.
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How do I find out if there are any Second Family programs near my home?
Click the zip code locater and enter in your zip code to find the number of Second Family programs nearest to you.
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How often can I have a volunteer visit my home?
You will work with a CarePartners Coordinator and the volunteers within the partnering congregation to determine a schedule that will accommodate your needs.
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How many volunteers come to my home to help?
Volunteers come in pairs to help provide support.
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I noticed that many of your partnerships are with congregations of faith across the city. Do I need to belong to one of those congregations or be of faith to participate?
In many cases the Second Family participants, caregiver or individual, are members of the partnering congregation; but that congregation does have the option to serve members of the greater community.
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Are the volunteers involved with Second Family screened in any way to provide a safe environment?
Yes, our volunteers go through a volunteer screening process, as well as training to equip them with skills, information and knowledge to support caregivers and their loved ones.
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What does CarePartners do to support this program?
CarePartners Coordinators provide leadership, support, training and direction to the volunteers that are a part of the Second Family Care Team®.
