Introducing

 

Can you imagine the community in which you live being genuinely thankful for your church?

NOTE:  This program has been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic

Caring for a spouse or other loved one suffering from dementia is a daunting task. Some reports suggest that over 70% of the persons suffering from dementia are cared for at home solely by a family member. This noble undertaking can stretch the caregiver’s limits and takes a significant toll both physically and emotionally. It is perfectly normal for the caregiver to feel frustrated, depressed and worn out. Caregivers commonly suffer stress, depression, health problems and financial difficulties, and their risk of developing dementia is significantly increased.

Imagine, for example, not being able without difficulty to run errands, grocery shop,visit your doctor
or dentist, go to the bank, attend worship services, prayer meetings or Bible studies, have coffee
or a meal with friends or generally socialize with others.

The Good Neighbor Get Together is a ministry program designed to renew a weary caregiver by providing an element of respite. For the purposes of this program we define respite as “temporary relief for family caregivers from the ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s disease.” Respite allows family caregivers to take a short pause from their continuous tasks as caregivers while their loved ones are cared for in a safe, joyful and meaningful setting.

For the purposes of this program we define respite as the “temporary relief for family caregivers
from the ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Respite allows family caregivers to take a short pause from their continuous tasks as caregivers,
while their loved ones continue to be cared for in a safe, joyful and meaningful setting.

“May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow…”
(1 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT)

The Get Together provides respite care for family caregivers through an activity program prepared for their loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease. It is held on your church’s campus, for 3½ hours usually once a month. The activity program will consist of games, singing, physical movement, socialization, crafts, entertainment, prayer and devotionals. Not every activity is included each time. The monthly Get Together will usually be centered on a theme, and a snack and lunch will be served.

Love Thy Neighbor Ministries is looking for churches that will partner with us in this important outreach by hosting a Good Neighbor Get Together monthly event in your fellowship hall.

The program is provided free of charge to the participants.

Who is Love Thy Neighbor Ministries?

Love Thy Neighbor Ministries, the developer and overseer of the program is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose focus and mission has always been to show God’s love to the frail elderly in our community by reaching out to touch them in loving and meaningful ways. The Good Neighbor Get Together program is one more way we see to help alleviate a difficulty affecting the senior population of our community.

If you participate with Love Thy Neighbor Ministries as a church partner we will:

  • Provide your church with a complete explanation of the program.
  • Provide one set of Program and Training Manuals.
  • Assist your church in forming and equipping volunteer Care Teams from your church congregation to serve in the program.
  • Provide training and other resources to your Care Team.
  • Work with your Care Team to help instruct them in all phases of the program.
  • Initially assist your care team with interviewing caregivers and their care partners, for admission into the program.
  • Initially be present at each Good Neighbor Get Together event.
  • Provide continuing educational programs about dementia and the care of its victims to volunteers, caregivers, church members and the community.
  • Promote the Get Together program to other churches and the community.
  • Maintain a database of all our church partners and the care receivers, and their care partners, being served at each church’s monthly Get Together event. We will also keep all supporting paperwork for the program.

Who will be the Care Receivers?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent of dementias so at least initially the Get Together
Program will focus on early to middle stage Alzheimer’s patients.

The Good Neighbor Get Together is a setting where Care Team volunteers provide a loving,
welcoming and fun environment for family members with early to mid-stage Alzheimer's
disease who do not require skilled care. This activity program is a partnership between
Love Thy Neighbor Ministries and participating congregations.

If your church would like to learn more about becoming a Good Neighbor Get Together site, to partner in providing this program in your community, Click Here Contact Us

The Good Neighbor Get Togethertm is a Trademarked program of Love Thy Neighbor Ministries.