LETTER: Joyful Place offers respite for caregivers of those with memory loss
Millions of people suffer from memory loss, which can present difficult times for both those living with dementia — and his or her caregiver. I know — five years ago I lost my wife of 61 years to dementia.
Fortunately, members and volunteers at Shalimar United Methodist Church (SUMC) decided to do something about it by opening Joyful Place, a community memory care respite ministry at SUMC.
Paid staff and trained volunteers provide a loving, engaging place of acceptance for caregivers to bring their loved one (whom we call our “Friends”) to experience four hours of games, exercise, singing, storytelling, pet therapy and similar activities, including snacks and a hot lunch.
The only respite program in our area is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. While Friends are having a great time, their caregiver has four hours of respite time to do as they wish. Our “Friends” love it.
After her first visit one sweet little lady said, “Can I live here? I go home from these sessions with my face hurting from laughing and smiling so much!"
Our venue is at SUMC but we welcome “Friends” and volunteers from the entire community.
Friends must meet minimum criteria and there is a nominal daily fee to help with expenses, for which scholarships are available. For more information about making this service available to a loved one or to become a volunteer, call Leigh Rice, our director of respite ministries, at 850-865-4123.
— Don Litke, Niceville