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The Review January 26, 2016 ROCK FALLS
Making room for friends Churches team up to give seniors a place to socialize, and give caregivers a break BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ
ROCK FALLS – A warm, safe and nurturing spot where caregivers can drop off their senior loved ones for fellowship and activities, while they run errands or just take a break, has opened in a longtime Rock Falls church. And the price is just right for anyone who wants to use it: It’s free. The Friendship Room will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 501 Eighth Ave. It’s for people 60 and older who cannot stay alone, and its mission is “to provide relief from caregiving by offering a safe, friendly and social environment for your loved one.”
Several local churches saw a need and came together to start the program, including First Christian in Sterling and Rock Falls, First Presbyterian in Sterling, United Methodist and St. John and St. Paul Lutheran. It’s not just a place your loved one can go to – it’s more like a social club. There will be exercise time and a monthly slate of activities designed to include or aid in reality orientation, socialization, education and spiritual enrichment. Among its goals are to provide guests stimulating activities, including games, puzzles, crafts and singing, to promote self-esteem and independence, and to decrease depression, all while helping them remain contributing members of the community. Guests must be ambulatory (walkers and wheelchairs are acceptable) and able to take themselves to the bathroom (use of disposable underpants is acceptable). A light snack and a drink will be provided.
Alex T. Paschal
Elissa Quigg (left) works on a puzzle with volunteer Laura Crawford Thursday at the Friendship Room at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Falls. The free program offers caregivers the opportunity to leave their loved ones in a safe environment so that they may take a break for themselves.
To help
Can you be a friend for 3 hours every 4 to 6 weeks? The Friendship Room is looking for volunteers to help out on a rotating basis. All that’s required is a background check and a short training meeting, both at no cost to the volunteer. In addition, organisers are looking for donations of adult puzzles with large pieces, copies or a subscription to “Reminisce” or “Good Old Days” magazines, old calendars for craft projects or Walmart gift cards. Call Immanuel Lutheran at 815-625-3575 for more information.
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