Hope and Help celebrates four years of supporting dementia caregivers
LONGVIEW, Texas — The Hope & Help Day Club is celebrating four years of providing respite and support for East Texas families affected by dementia.Operated by the East Texas Alzheimer's Alliance, the program began in 2022 with 12 participants and 20 volunteers. Since then, 102 individuals living with dementia have attended the weekly program, and volunteers have contributed more than 16,500 hours of service.Volunteer and board member Kelsey Kernohan said her family's experience with dementia motivated her to get involved.“Being able to have a safe place for someone to come where they're engaged and they get to interact with others and fellowship is just such a blessing,” Kernohan said.The program provides activities and social interaction for participants while giving caregivers several hours of respite each week. Caregiver Don Melton said he has seen positive changes in his wife since she began attending.“Today was the first time she did a craft,” Melton said. “They know how to bring it out in the patients.”Looking ahead, Beth Godsey, executive director of the East Texas Alzheimer's Alliance, said the organization hopes to expand services to make caregivers' respite time even more valuable.The Hope & Help Day Club serves families across 14 East Texas counties and meets weekly in Longview.
LONGVIEW, Texas — The Hope & Help Day Club is celebrating four years of providing respite and support for East Texas families affected by dementia.
Operated by the East Texas Alzheimer's Alliance, the program began in 2022 with 12 participants and 20 volunteers. Since then, 102 individuals living with dementia have attended the weekly program, and volunteers have contributed more than 16,500 hours of service.
Volunteer and board member Kelsey Kernohan said her family's experience with dementia motivated her to get involved.
“Being able to have a safe place for someone to come where they're engaged and they get to interact with others and fellowship is just such a blessing,” Kernohan said.
The program provides activities and social interaction for participants while giving caregivers several hours of respite each week. Caregiver Don Melton said he has seen positive changes in his wife since she began attending.
“Today was the first time she did a craft,” Melton said. “They know how to bring it out in the patients.”
Looking ahead, Beth Godsey, executive director of the East Texas Alzheimer's Alliance, said the organization hopes to expand services to make caregivers' respite time even more valuable.
The Hope & Help Day Club serves families across 14 East Texas counties and meets weekly in Longview.