What is a Care Partner?
What kinds of services are provided?
Who qualifies for services?
What is the process for becoming a Care Partner?
How soon can one receive services?
How much does it cost?
How can one receive services?
How does one contact The Care Communities?
A Care Partner is someone that is living with AIDS and/or Cancer, who is in need of assistance relating to home care, yard work, pet care, transportation, and/or general companionship support.
care partners
Meet Joe…
Joe, a 45 year old AIDS patient was matched with a Care Team, existing of Greater Austin Community members. He had been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer, which had spread to his lymph nodes and throughout his abdomen. Upon intake, he was found living in a barely furnished residence. He had to sell almost all his furniture after his mother died so he could pay for the funeral. Our Care Partner was lying lifeless in the bed, in pain, stating he had the energy only to get back and forth to the bathroom. He was socially isolated, with no family or friends in the area. He was considering stopping the chemotherapy, because it was “killing him.” After getting a Care Team we got a two-page thank you letter from Joe stating:
“I have been a client for just over a year. I would not be here today had it not been for my Care Team. . . . When my Care Team met me for the first time, I was in Stage 3 cancer in my hospital bed at home. My appearance was shocking due to weight loss and chemo during radiation. However, my Care Team did not even notice. They quickly organized duties and became my friends. I have no family, so I am very thankful to you for bringing these brave souls into my life. When [they] met me for the first time, my prognosis was fatal. Now, I am in remission. I have never seen such bravery. During my darkest hours close to death, I hurt so bad that I often just wanted to let go. It was times like this that I would think of my Care Team. They never gave up! ”
Joe reported that his Care Team took him to chemo, cut the yard, fed and “deflea’d” the four dogs, went to the food bank and waited in line, and took him out to eat at nice restaurants. Before his death, Joe told those who visited him that his Care Team were his best friends and he loved them dearly.
Meet Anne…
Anne was first diagnosed with breast cancer and then six years later with lung cancer. The next year, her son (in his late 20's) died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack. Very shortly after her son’s death, Anne and her husband were in a car accident that damaged Anne’s ribs and rendered her husband’s legs useless. Anne felt intensely isolated after the accident and her son’s death. Her husband was withdrawing into their tiny bedroom, leaving Anne largely on her own to cope with two types of cancer and the intense grief left in the wake of her son’s death. As if that were not enough, the physical pain caused by the persisting cancer made it nearly unbearable to accomplish practical tasks like house-cleaning, driving, laundry and grocery shopping.
Since her match, her Care Team has been assisting her with the practical and companionship-related needs she had. Every Monday, her Care Team fills her house with a hot meal and fellowship. Before, Anne’s cupboard would remain empty for days while waiting on the cumbersome Special Transportation Services. Now groceries are right behind a wooden door whenever she needs them. Her Care Team also helps drive Anne to the pharmacy to get her medication and to doctors’ appointments. During the first few months, her husband would hide out in the bedroom while the Care Team visited, but slowly over time, he became comfortable enough to open the door and come out. Now Anne and her husband can finally enjoy the visits together. Anne also talks to her Care Team about the loss of her son and is now comfortable crying in front of them.
What we have come to understand is that strength and survivorship do not exist without pain and hardship. There is some degree of tragedy that sleeps beneath the surface of courage. The Care Communities believes that this courage can only be bolstered by the power of community and the untapped compassion that lies patiently in everyone, waiting to be released.
Meet Roy…
Twenty years ago, Roy was diagnosed with HIV. Ten years later, Roy's HIV had developed into AIDS. He was fortunate that he had been able to live a long and satisfying life by following his medication regimen and making healthy choices. However, Roy is now in his late sixties and is becoming less mobile. The neuropathy developing in his hands and feet causes sharp and numbing pain when he walks long distances or attempts to carry heavy objects.
In the past, Roy has always taken public transportation and carried his own groceries, but his current physical condition has made this nearly impossible. With the help of his Care Team, Roy is now able to get groceries without making several trips to the store. He buys large bottles of milk and cans of soup without worrying about how he is going to get his purchases home. Roy’s Care Team also transports him to the pharmacy on a monthly basis to pick up his medication. On beautiful Texas days, the team visits Roy at his house, and they play board games together on the outdoor patio.
Through his Care Team, Roy has been able to retain his independent lifestyle and enjoy the benefits of companionship.
Meet Sandra…
As soon as Sandra found out she was pregnant with her third child, she took her doctor’s advice and received the recommended lab tests. The results of the HIV/AIDS test came out positive. Upon the birth of her child, Sandra began medical treatment at a local clinic, which specialized in working with people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Eventually, her illness made it difficult for her to continue caring for herself and her home on her own. It was at this point that Sandra’s social worker referred her to The Care Communities.
Although Sandra has family in the area, she does not want to ask them for help for fear that they will judge her for her positive status. She says that she feels secure in the knowledge that her Care Team will provide non-judgmental support and will respect her wish not to inform her family of her illness at this time. Several days each month, a Care Team member transports Sandra to her medical appointments and cares for her infant while she sees her doctor. Other team members do loads of laundry and clean around the house. The team especially enjoys helping Sandra’s older children with their homework.
Sandra has come to find that, with help from her Care Team, she can provide a loving and safe household for herself and her children.
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| -Cooking |
-Errands |
-Share a meal |
-Shopping |
| -Light cleaning |
-Pet care |
-Yard work |
-Outings |
| -Transportation (limited) |
-Child supportive services |
-Phone calls |
-Laundry |
| -Companionship |
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*We Do Not provide medical care (i.e. giving medicine, grooming/bathing)
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- Someone with cancer and/or
- stages 2 – 4
- stage 1_, with additional medical conditions
- Someone with AIDS with a T-cell count of
- _250_ or below for men
- _350__ or below for women
- _350_ or above, with additional medical conditions
- Must be in need of services relating to home care, yard work, pet care, transportation, and/or companionship support.
- Must provide medical documentation
*We Do Not deny services based on income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religious/nonreligious affiliation |
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- An official referral requesting services may be made either by phone, email, or in person
- A staff member will respond by scheduling a visit to conduct an assessment of needs and determine eligibility
- If eligible individual is matched with a Care Team
- Individual may be placed on waiting list if Care Team is not available in the area
- Once a match is made individual will be notified by staff member
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Staff member will schedule meeting between individual and Care Team members
- Services continue as long as necessary
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Services depend on the availability of Care Team(s). The average wait time is one month.
Because The Care Communities is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization, services are provided at no cost to Care Partners.
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- If you are an individual working with an agency case manager, please have your case manager contact The Care Communities using the contact information.
- If you are an individual without an agency case manager and are interested in our services please contact The Care Communities by using the contact information below.
- If you are a family member or friend and are interested in a loved one receiving services please contact The Care Communities using the contact information.
- If you are a case manager or other professional and would like to speak with a Care Communities staff member about how a client may be linked to our services please use the contact information.
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Please call, visit, or email The Care Communities at:
Christina Camacho, MSSW
Care Team Coordinator
christina@thecarecommunities.org
7215 Cameron Road
Austin, Texas 78752
(512) 459-5883 phone
(512) 459-5874 fax
Map of The Care Communities location
Get Directions: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/9-WdDAqBefhgbgfaPt
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