A new ministry designed to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers is opening in November 2024 at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola.
For two days a week, First Church Respite Ministry will provide a fun, engaging environment for participants to enjoy social, recreational, and enrichment activities while their caregivers get a four-hour respite.
First Church Respite Ministry is part of a larger network of respite ministries adopting a successful volunteer-based model of care promoted by the Respite for All Foundation (RFA) to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia as well as their caregivers.
While we understand that Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases are progressive conditions, the participants who would most likely benefit from the program are those who can participate in group settings for a long period and are able to feed themselves and move around. This ministry is not just for our own church members. We invite others in the area living with a dementia-related disease who would benefit from these social and relational activities.
This low-cost, high-engagement RFA program is run by a part-time staff director together with trained volunteers and is a ministry of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. Because the model is a social program, no medical training is required for volunteers. From one to four days a week, participants are led through recreational and enrichment activities and can enjoy a hot lunch with friends. At the same time, caregivers get a much-needed break when they can leave their loved ones with trusted volunteers for four hours.
For more information about enrolling someone in the program or joining the volunteer team, please contact Kirstin Gartner, Respite Director.
Staff
Kirstin Gartner
Respite Director
Email Kirstin