First Circle Friends

See First Circle Friends on YouTube.  http://youtu.be/pb3q2tqjYug 

A Day Program Combined with Respite

For information e-mail Cynthia Osborne 
Frequently Asked Questions about First Circle Friends (PDF, 193kb)
Informational brochure (PDF, 682kb)

First Circle Friends is a day program for people with early memory loss combined with a day of respite for caregivers. The program's creative approach assists with the needs of families dealing with early to mid-stage memory loss through agency and faith community collaboration.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, up to seven million Americans – family, friends and neighbors – provide care to people 65 and older. The Alliance notes their three greatest needs: information; emotional support; and respite. First Circle Friends, by engaging both the caregiver and the care receiver, meets all three.

First Circle Friends sustains support for the memory-loss care receiver and caregiver in a community setting through personal and meaningful service to memory-loss dyad of caregiver and care receiver; caring and well planned socially and cognitively stimulating days for participants; inspiring and mentoring volunteers to carry out the plans that volunteers create; and respite time, resources and a listening ear for caregivers.

Benefits

For people with early to mid-stage memory loss

• Social interactions and programming promote psychological health
• Cognitive activities keep the brain more active and healthy
• Enhances quality of life and offers opportunities to develop new friendships
• A sense of esteem from accomplishing or contributing
• Safe, quality care

For families and friends who are the main caregivers

• Time to take care of necessary tasks and errands
• Time off can reduce caregiver stress, burden and burn out, which can have detrimental health risks
• Nurtures family and caregiving relationships

For the faith commumnity:

• Education about useful supports for people with memory loss
• Extends inclusivity, including modifications in physical space or worship needed to engage the caregiver and the one receiving care
• Opportunity to learn new skills
• Opportunity to provide supports to the broader community

First Circle Friends is an excellent partnership tool, providing opportunities for social ministry organizations and local congregations to deepen community presence in aging services. Local volunteers who work with the social ministry organizations, congregation and participants.

First Circle Friends adopting organizations receive:

• Implementation Guide, including business modeling template
• Leader Guide
• Volunteer Guide
• Marketing materials
• One year technical assistance via membership in LSA's Caregiver Suite Peer Consortium

First Circle Friends is an adaptation of The Gathering, a program developed and operated by Lyngblomsten in St. Paul, MN. Acknowledgements for funding and creative development go to the ELCA Lutheran Services for the Elderly Endowment, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation and Carolyn Klaver, the Gathering Coordinator, Lyngblomsten.

It is part of LSA's Caregiver Suite, a portfolio of Lutheran branded models, products and programs for strengthening caregiver support resources in America's communities. Designed to be easily adopted by LSA member organizations, congregations and others, Caregiver Suite products share a common goal of extending resources and support to those who care for parents, adult children or other loved ones who are aging.