Maple Crest of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) now offers respite care for persons needing temporary assistance, according to Daren Lee, Marketing Coordinator of MHCO.

The new service is available at Maple Crest Senior Living Village. Respite care is also available at Mennonite Memorial Home, both located in Bluffton.

This service provides a fully furnished apartment, three meals a day, nurse assessment, emergency call system, medication reminders, laundry, housekeeping, transportation for appointments, 24-hour staff, plus all utilities including phone and cable.

"The program provides persons with personal assistance and comfort post-surgery or following an illness that does not require 24-hour nursing care. It also allows caregivers a break from caregiving. It can be used when a caregiver is traveling, during holidays, vacations, or just when there is a need to rest from these responsibilities to attend to other personal matters," said Lee.

"We will coordinate care in conjunction with you, a family member, and your physician prior to arriving at our assisted living area," he said.

Three levels of respite services are offered in this new service, depending upon the needs of the individual.

Persons needing more information may contact Lee at Maple Crest Senior Living Village, 700 Maple Crest Court, off Augsburger Road, Bluffton, or call 419-358-1015, extension 101.