What began as a weekly church program is becoming a full-scale, five-day-a-week community of care.
More than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s or a disease that causes dementia. That’s 1 in 9 people or 11% of adults age 65 and older. Without a cure, the total is expected to almost double to 13 million by 2050.
“When Pastoral Care met with then senior minister, Paul Rasmussen, about the dreams for Journey Ministry, he supported the concept but wanted to know why this respite program would be unique. We knew that the programming, support groups, activities and respite care would be excellent, but we discussed the real heart of Journey Ministry.
Here is what we believe: The soul never fades. The memory may become weak. Executive functions may slow down. But a person’s soul stays whole. It never shrinks. It never goes away. We honor our participants and their families. We not only speak to their needs, we speak to their souls, and we listen with love and compassion.”
Trissie Osborn
Journey began in 2019 as a ministry of Highland Park United Methodist Church. The Church identified an urgent need as members of HPUMC and the larger Dallas community were being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias at alarming rates. They and their caregivers needed support.
Trissie Osborn, a member of the Pastoral Care Team, was asked to lead the charge in creating a program which would support these families through connection, joy and respite.
At the Mockingbird campus of HPUMC, for four hours each Thursday, Journey Ministry provides a faith-based, safe and stimulating refuge for Dallas residents living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, while giving respite to their caregivers.
Trained volunteers provide support and encouragement to participants as they socialize and enjoy physical movement, music, art, and other memory-stimulating activities. Lunch is also served in a safe and comfortable environment.
“Journey Tuesdays” is a time for participants and their caregivers to receive additional spiritual and emotional support and resources. For two and a half hours, they share lunch provided by Chance’s Cafe, another HPUMC ministry, and receive much needed understanding, compassion and spiritual sustenance for the days ahead. What caregivers may love most is the take-home dinners provided once per month that gives them a night away from shopping and preparing dinner.
We want to meet these families right where they are and expand Journey’s offerings beyond the rooms of HPUMC. Journey currently serves up to 17 individuals on Thursdays. As we transition from Journey Ministry to Journey Together, we plan to serve up to 80 individuals per day and countless caregivers and their families.
Every day, thousands of Dallas families navigate the profound emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial implications of dementia. We can help.
hello@journeytogetherdallas.org
Dallas, Texas
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