R.E.S.T. Respite Care friends shared in putting a puzzle together. (Photo courtesy of Rev. Emily Walker)

By Tyler Sprouse, TWK Communications Specialist

With financial support from an Equipping the Local Church Grant from the Foundation for Evangelism, Trinity UMC in Paris, TN, is bringing hopeful care and community to neighbors suffering from memory loss, as well as to their caregivers. 

On July 11, Trinity UMC held its first gathering for their new R.E.S.T. (Renew, Engage, Support, and Trust) Respite Care program, a social model initiative dedicated to engaging community members suffering from memory loss. It was an exciting beginning to a new ministry that, as Trinity UMC pastor, Rev. Emily Walker, emphasizes, is urgently needed throughout our communities.

“People dealing with memory loss often feel isolated,” said Rev. Walker. “And their withdrawal can go unnoticed because of the stigma surrounding this disease, which makes people feel unsafe to share honestly about their journeys. Our program’s acronym summarizes our mission well. We hope to help renew the lives of friends, caregivers, and volunteers (referred to as ‘companions’); engage our friends with memory loss; support caregivers; and trust God in this new ministry.”

Participants join together in a Zumba class. (Photo courtesy of Rev. Emily Walker)

This program was inspired by Rev. Walker’s relationship with her grandfather, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s late in his life. 

“I saw how memory loss slowly isolated my grandfather and his caregivers,” said Rev. Walker. “It was painful to witness him withdrawing when he could not remember names and faces. The more isolated he became, the more his memory declined–a common phenomenon for people with this diagnosis. 

“This idea for the R.E.S.T. program began stirring in me last fall,” she continued. “I listened to the Holy Spirit and began researching similar initiatives. I discovered that Centenary UMC in Chattanooga, TN, has been engaged in a respite ministry that prioritizes not only caregivers, but also those dealing with dementia. It is a beautiful model of relational care.” 

Centenary UMC offered the team at Trinity UMC the opportunity to visit and see firsthand the ministry in action. They also connected them with a national organization called Respite For All that offered to support them in their journey and provide training materials.

In order to make this vision a reality, Trinity UMC needed the financial resources to purchase chairs with arms, memory games, recreational activities, art supplies, and a speaker system with a microphone that allowed them to offer exciting ways to engage with new friends and provide a safe and supportive environment to older adults. Earlier this year, they applied for and received the Equipping the Local Church Grant from the Foundation for Evangelism, which enabled them to move forward with the program. 

Cindy Lowe with Paris FUMC shared a Godly Play on the good shepherd as participants listened intently. (Photo courtesy of Rev. Emily Walker)

Trinity UMC’s R.E.S.T. Respite Care initiative is located at the church and is structured according to a four-hour schedule. Everyone wears a nametag and all involved–no matter if the person is a ‘friend’ (a person with memory loss), volunteer, or caregiver–take part together in every activity. The program begins with a brain game to help everyone get oriented to their time together.

Then, the group enjoys having volunteers throughout the community invested in sharing their time and talents in art, physical exercise, and music. Music is something that resonates at a deep level and remains in our long-term memory–even after significant memory loss has occurred. As Rev. Walker emphasized, music is a critical way to help engage persons with memory loss.

Chair Volleyball with balloons and pool noodles. “It was my favorite and I loved seeing people get so competitive, laugh so hard, and the body knew exactly what to do,” said Walker. “Some of us played the net. It was awesome!” (Photo courtesy of Rev. Emily Walker)

“Our R.E.S.T. friends, even those with significant memory loss,” began Rev. Walker. “come alive and become more connected to the people around them. They know the lyrics from songs and it allows them to participate fully. You can see the light in their eyes.” 

After an energizing day at R.E.S.T., one caregiver said that their loved-one was more animated the rest of the day. Another caregiver said that their spouse calls this his “fun day.” The volunteers report they can’t wait to be back together next week. During the first three weeks of R.E.S.T., volunteers logged 300 hours to make this a reality for our community. Rev. Walker shared her excitement about the five churches who have joined together to serve friends.

R.E.S.T. Respite Care is exploring numerous ways of engaging participants in mentally and spiritually stimulating activities, as well as providing opportunities for service and continued mission. At the heart of this program is a desire to help participants know their inherent worth as human beings loved by God and by the people around them. 

“We want this to be a place where our friends can come as they are,” said Rev. Walker. “We want folks to be able to engage and have relationships with others apart from their caregivers–and vice versa. Respite is ‘time away,’ and everyone needs respite in order to nurture their own individuality and sense of purpose. This program is providing that space to all involved.”

To learn more about the R.E.S.T. Respite Care Program, contact the program at 731-333-3901 or email rest.respiteministry@gmail.com.