Charles House on the Carol Woods campus

Charles House is a leader in eldercare services with highly regarded programs. Since the move into the beautifully renovated Center for Community Eldercare (Building 8) on the Carol Woods campus, there has been a significant increase in the numbers of caregiving families participating in the Charles House program. In the daytime program, approximately 125 families make Charles House a part of their caregiving, compared to 55-65 families a year before the move to the Carol Woods campus. Participants come from Orange, Durham and Chatham counties; most live “at home,” but some come from residential care facilities.

There are three major components in the Center for Community Eldercare. The hallmark of the Charles House program is the Daytime Eldercare Program, which accommodates up to 36 participants a day in a therapeutic social engagement model of care. This program fosters small group intimacy through meaningful activities.

In the Caregiver Orientation, Resources and Education Program (CORE), Charles House counsels families, providing information about dementia care approaches, advanced directives, emergencies, medical care, in-home care providers, rehab services and residential care options.

The Bradley Program in Learning and Service offers an experience for students, interns and others exploring or preparing for careers in aging and healthcare. Students participate in experiential learning in the Charles House approach to care. In addition, other communities reach out to Charles House for help in addressing the growing needs of elders in their communities.

--Paul Klever, Director of Charles House