One-to-one volunteers needed for respite program

By Mark McKenzie

Wilshire Baptist Church sponsors a respite program for people caring for a loved one with dementia. The program is called Friday Friends and meets on the second and fourth Fridays of most months from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Caregiving can be mentally and physically exhausting. On those two Fridays each month, caregivers drop off their loved one with Friday Friends and then have a four-hour break to have time to themselves.

Volunteer duties are simple: stay with the assigned participant, engage them in conversation, encourage them in our activities and just generally enjoy their company.  We have a busy four hours, and Wilshire provides lunch for everyone. Because the program emphasis is on building friendships and really knowing our participants, we ask that volunteers be consistent in their attendance, with the caveat that an occasional absence is unavoidable.

Training will be provided. Expertise with dementia is not required since the focus is on being an attentive one-to-one partner to the participant.  

To volunteer or for more information, contact Terry Wade 817-454-5620 or twade2618@aol.com. If you are a caregiver interested in the respite program, contact Linda Lyles at 214-616-9544 or LiLyles@sbcglobal.net.