Published 11/09/2007

Business provides respite for caregivers, employment for disabled

by Beckye Randall

Katie DeVore knows firsthand the exhaustion that comes with caring for a disabled family member. A petite woman with boundless empathy, she also understands that placement in a nursing home is not always best for the patient’s family.

DeVore’s husband John began showing signs of Alzheimer’s Disease when he was only 56. Although it took years to diagnose the disease, John’s steady cognitive decline was apparent to those closest to him.

However, as DeVore explained, “John didn’t need a nursing home because he couldn’t tie his shoes.” Instead, the family opted for home care and DeVore became her husband’s full-time caretaker until his death almost 10 years later.

“My journey is over now,” said DeVore, “but other families are still going through it.”

While caring for her husband, DeVore began opening her spacious Marysville home to additional patients afflicted with dementia and other disabilities to allow their caregivers a much-needed break. Soon she recognized the desperate need for respite facilities in the area.

“I talked with John about my ideas,” said DeVore, “and he encouraged me to pursue it. He said I would need a project once he was gone, and this was it.”

“Respite care is a short-term solution to a long-term problem,” explained DeVore. The job of caretaker is arduous and emotionally draining. Having a safe, convenient day care facility available, even for one day a week, can mean the difference between keeping loved ones at home and having to seek other care solutions.

About this time, DeVore became acquainted with another John. John Parkin was operating a successful day care facility in Lynnwood called All Aboard. Parkin, an experienced businessman and entrepreneur, recognized the opportunity to work with Katie to develop a similar program in north Snohomish County. Katie’s Adult Day Care was transformed into Adaptive Activities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the program began to expand.

Over the past few years, the DeVore family home, located on a quiet residential street behind the Marysville Assembly of God Church, has undergone a transformation from a private home to a sunny, safe, inviting environment for adults requiring care. As DeVore said, “I believe in tearing down walls,” and she means that both literally and figuratively.

The 4,000-square-foot home is surrounded by a wraparound deck which is used for exercises, gardening and sunny lunches. The common rooms are open and bright, and a cozy quiet room offers a chance to just sit and rest, away from the home’s activities.

Those activities include daily exercise sessions, cooking, gardening, art, and karaoke. Once a week there’s an opportunity for bumper bowling at Strawberry Lanes and other field trips are planned as the seasons permit.

DeVore focuses on the clients with the help of additional staff members, interacting with those disabled by senility or developmental issues to ensure their comfort and enhance their day-to-day experiences.

With a smile, DeVore talks about Joanne, a young woman with developmental disabilities who is a regular at the adult day care facility. “Her family had been told she had the mental capacities of a 4- or 5-year-old,” said DeVore. “We put her in an environment where she can be successful, and she’s proven she can learn and perform many self-care tasks.” Joanne also loves the center’s activities, particularly bowling and karaoke.

Meanwhile, Parkin concentrates on managing the non-profit organization to allow its expansion. Growing the business will allow them to offer respite services to more caregivers and contribute to the wellbeing of more clients.

Adaptive Activities will soon begin training and employing people with disabilities. Parkin has developed a partnership with a supplier of all-natural dog treats that contain no preservatives, wheat gluten or meat byproducts. The treats, marketed under the name Good Bites, will be counted, packaged and shipped by disabled adults employed by the organization. Those employed will be able to earn an income and learn a skill, and profits from the enterprise will help fund program expansion.

Parkin’s vision includes marketing the dog treats as fundraisers for other non-profits like school clubs or community organizations. “We can contribute to the visions of other service agencies by providing an easy and profitable fundraising opportunity,” said Parkin.

He envisions an enterprise patterned after Paul Newman’s company model, which directs its profits into charitable work.

Parkin has an even bigger goal in mind. Eventually, he hopes to purchase a large facility, perhaps a church building or similar structure, and bring other agencies that provide services to developmentally or physically disabled people under one roof.

“All the organizations could share resources, saving operations money that could go back into patient care,” he said.

For Katie DeVore, her motivation and mission are somewhat simpler. “Where there’s respite, there’s hope,” she said.

Adaptive Activities is overseen by a Board of Directors whose members include Sheriff Rick Bart, Valerie Wooton from the Arlington School District, and other community and business leaders. Registration and assessments are required for new clients, and they are not able to accept incontinent patients or those who would create security issues.

To find out more about the respite care program, visit www.adaptiveactivities.com. Information about the Good Bites products and fundraising program is available at www.goodbitestreats.com.