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Volunteers demonstrated balloon volleyball on Oct. 13 to warm up the court prior to the guests arriving. Pictured, from left, are: center director Allie Bennett and volunteers Debbie Pridgeon, Kelley Harbert, Mary Edmondson, Marilyn Gottfredson, Michael LeVitt and Allen Laughlin. Also, playing but obscured behind participants are: Traci Reeves and Barbara Van Tassel. Contributed photo -
Jane Sinks, who volunteers with the Wesley Respite Center at First United Methodist Church, works with participants in the program which includes arts and crafts projects. Contributed photos -
Wesley Respite Center volunteer Kent Gottfredson likes to put program attendees in a good mood with his creativity as well as a patriotic art project during a get-together at First United Methodist Church with an Independence Day theme.
For an unfortunate number of people, before they lose their lives, they lose their memories. According to the website Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s “is a specific brain disease that accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.” Dementia “is a general term for symptoms like decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills.”
For those who have family and loved ones who suffer from the two memory disorders, a local ministry provides a helping hand.
The Wesley Respite Center (WRC), a ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls, brings dignity to those with dementia and Alzheimer’s by providing individual conversation, forging new friendships, invigorating activities, a pleasant and inviting environment, and also food, music and fun.
On the brochure, it states: “We provide this service to caregivers while the person with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia engages in stimulating activities with new friends.”
WRC is at FUMC at 1101 Bluebonnet Drive, across from HEB. It is named after Methodist Church founder John Wesley.
The center has been operating for 10 years with clients from both Burnet County and Llano County. They currently have 14 volunteers and four guests and are hoping to have more guests, said
“People who are still living at home with a spouse or child, they need a break, or respite.”
— Allie Bennett Program Director program director Allie Bennett.
“We’ve never had difficulty to getting the guests or participants like we’re having now,” Bennett said. “Before Covid we had 12 guests and sometimes a waiting list. We’re trying to spread the word.”
Bennett described for whom the program provides service.
“People who are still living at home with a spouse or child, they need a break, or respite,” she said, also explaining the program’s name. “They drop them off and we are playing games, the whole agenda.”
The benefits are well-rounded and comprehensive.
“Great socialization for the guests. They’re so energized, and families say what an amazing change in demeanor their loved one has,” Bennett said. “They’ve been isolated at home and following their spouse around the house.
“They’re not able to do hobbies they used to do. When they come, they have a volunteer assigned to them,” she continued. “That volunteer provides reassurance by sitting with them at lunch, helping them with games. It forges close relationships.”
While the guests are being served at the center, their family and loved ones have time to run errands, take care of chores, go shopping, have lunch with a friend, or take a nap.
“It’s a win, win, win,” Bennett said. “Specifically, it’s a win for the family member who gets a break from 24/7 caregiving, a win for participant ‘guests’ due to socialization and encouragement, and a win for volunteers who love to be with guests.
“The volunteers come because they want to give back.”
Of all the activities guests like, balloon volleyball is a favorite.
“We have three balloons going at one time, and sometimes they get two balloons at once at them,” Bennett said. “They have so much laughter and have a good time.”
Debbie Pridgeon, a WRC volunteer whose husband used to be a guest in the respite program, said when she and her husband returned to Texas a few years ago, Debbie Pridgeon noticed the unmistakable signs that her husband had Alzheimer’s Disease. She knew the road ahead would be tough to negotiate.
“When my husband was still living at home, he was a 24/7/365 responsibility,” said the Horseshoe Bay resident. “He had begun showing signs when we moved back to Texas five years ago.
Since we had no local family or friends, the respite program was my four hours a week break for running errands, doctor appointments, or just sitting and resting.
“I was exhausted and sad and in desperate need of relief. Now that the disease has progressed past my abilities to care for him at home, I feel that giving back to this awesome program was meant to be,” she added. “It gives me joy every week now to work with my guest. We laugh, play games, exercise, and just enjoy each other.
“I am so grateful to Allie and this program to have given me the break I needed, to have given my husband some fun and enjoyment, and now to let me laugh and smile again.”
The program is free and operates by donations only. While the center is part of the church ministry, the program “welcomes all in the community,” Bennett emphasized.
“We’re fed by the ladies of the church,” Bennett said. “A team of people rotate in and make full lunch. I pay for groceries from donations, and they prepare it from love of their hearts.”
The center is open Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an interview, call Marble Falls FUMC at 830-693-4341; call Bennett at 512-6392295 or email her at alliebennett@ gmail.com.