by Kaitlin Jackson
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church has partnered with Catholic Charities of Buffalo to offer a free, monthly respite program for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Open Door @ OPPC: Memory Care Respite Program will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the church, 4369 S. Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Trained volunteers will provide fun, supervised activities and fellowship to keep a loved one purposefully occupied while their caregiver takes a much needed break.
This free community service is made possible through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and fulfills its mission of relieving caregiver burden and stress, and improving the lives of caregivers and the lives of their loved ones.
“There is a growing need for caregiver support in our communities,” said Brian O’Herron, Director of Older Adult Services at Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “And our vision is to create supportive, dementia-friendly communities that reduce burden and prevent burnout, through a strong partnership of professional service providers and community volunteers.”
The Orchard Park Presbyterian Church respite program is free of charge and open to the community. Registration is required. For more information or to register your loved one for the program, contact Sherry Pomeroy at (716) 662-9348 ext. 309 or sherry@oppchurch.org.