LSSI partners with Elk Grove church: Respite care works both ways
A Godsend. Vital. A lifesaver. What a relief. A slice of freedom.
These are just a few of the words caregivers use to describe A Caring Place, a respite care program hosted at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Elk Grove Village in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI).
For nearly two decades, this program has offered more than just a break — it has provided a lifeline.
Launched by Senior Pastor Stefan Potuznik and two community members, A Caring Place serves older adults with mild cognitive or physical impairments, while giving their caregivers — spouses or adult children — precious time to rest, recharge, or simply breathe.
The program runs four days a week and welcomes 12 to 15 regular participants. It’s led by Rosa Biondo, a gerontology graduate with a heart for service, and supported by Terri Lucas, a home care assistant with Intouch Home Care Services, a program of LSSI, along with a dedicated team of 10 volunteers.
“A Caring Place expands the personalized approach Intouch Home Care takes to help older adults remain in their homes,” said Jeremiah Royster, LSSI’s Director of Intouch Operations and Growth. “Christus Victor has taken that same commitment into a community setting.”
Serving Cook County residents for over 40 years, Intouch allows senior clients to remain independent and safe in their homes and helps alleviate caretaker stress. Intouch offers personal care such as hygiene assistance for daily living; recovery care for post-hospitalization and other acute health matters; help with daily household chores; memory care for safe living and caregiver peace of mind; respite care when family caregivers need a break, and companion care for mental, physical, social, and emotional wellness.
Each A Caring Place session is a blend of structure and spontaneity — word games, trivia, art projects, and lunch are staples. But so are the laughter, naps, heartfelt conversations, and the unmistakable warmth that fills the room. Participants are engaged, reflective, and joyful — sometimes all in the same afternoon.
Caregivers, too, find solace in the program. Many arrive early just to talk. “They’ve become so isolated,” Biondo said. “Their friendships have disappeared. This gives them an opportunity to have real friendships again.”
One such caregiver is Marie Oskerka, whose husband, Neal, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia a year ago. Neal thrives on the intellectual stimulation and camaraderie. “They take good care of us, support us, show great care,” he said.
Marie agrees. “This gets him out, rather than sitting at home reading or watching TV,” she said. “Even just talking about what we’re experiencing really helps. We can get our heads straight and learn strategies to cope.”
The caregivers, once strangers, now share phone numbers, stories, and support. They compare notes on symptoms, laugh over shared experiences, and sometimes cry together. What unites them is love — and the need for a break.
In a world where caregiving can be isolating and exhausting, A Caring Place is more than a program. It’s a community. It’s a reminder that respite care doesn’t just help the person receiving it — it uplifts everyone involved.
For more information about home care services through LSSI, visit LSSI.org/Homecare.