by Kaitlin Jackson
Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church has partnered with the WNY Alzheimer’s Caregiver Partnership (WNYACP) to offer a free, monthly respite program called Caring Hands and Hearts for persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementia beginning March 9.
The Caring Hands and Hearts program is open to the community and will be held the second Thursday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. at Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church, 3415 Rt. 19 South, Warsaw.
Caring Hands and Hearts features trained volunteers who will provide fun, supervised activities to keep a loved one purposefully occupied while their caregiver takes a much needed break.
The free community service fulfills WNYACP’s mission to reduce caregiver burden and burnout, improving the lives of caregivers and the lives of their loved ones.
“There is a growing need for caregiver support in our communities,” said Ann Marie Doetterl, Regional Director of the WNYACP grant at Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “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.”
Registration is required. For more information or to register your loved one, please contact Lisa at (585) 786-5445 or email: lisa.valleychapel@gmail.com.
WNYACP, funded by a NYS Department of Health grant, assists caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementia with care consultation and assessment, caregiver support groups, caregiver education, respite assistance, enrichment events, caregiver events and transportation. WNYACP also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Partners of WNYACP are Catholic Charities; Alzheimer’s Association, WNY Chapter; and the County Offices for the Aging in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming Counties. WNYACP serves residents of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming counties. Call 800-342-9871 (NYConnects) for assistance or go to wnyacp.org.
