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 The
Caring
Place, An Adult Respite Program
101 Quapaw Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
501-623-2881
A ministry of First United Methodist Church
and a group of Interfaith volunteers
Hours: Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Caring Place provides respite for caregivers and families through a supervised program for participants in a safe and
comfortable environment.
The enrolled participants benefit from the relaxed and friendly
program.
Social and recreational activities include:
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Sing-a-longs
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Reminiscence Activities
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Pet Visits
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Art Therapy
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Music Therapy
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Memory Exercises
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Crafts
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Lunch
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Outings
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Table/Card Games
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Exercise
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Ball and Balloon Games
For information about enrolling a loved one, please call 623-2881. The affordable fee of $6.75 per hour includes lunch, outings and program materials. We accept ElderChoice Medicaid, and private pay. Scholarship funding is also available for those who meet financial requirements. Days are charged on a four-hour minimum basis.
Benefits to Participants and Families
Make New Friends
The Caring Place is a relaxed program with social activities.
Reduced Isolation
Being with other people helps lessen feelings of loneliness.
Fitness
Exercises, walks and outings help keep muscles limber and strong.
Better Sleep
Activity during the day may help your family member rest more easily at night.
Enjoy Life More
The Caring Place participants can lead fuller, more meaningful everyday lives when they can get out of their usual surroundings, yet still feel safe both physically and
mentally.
Mental and Social Stimulation
Through conversation and memory exercises, participants exercise acceptance and success in a
non-threatening environment.
Chapel Service for Caregivers
Knowing that caregivers are often unable to attend worship services at their church, an
interfaith chapel service is offered each month just prior to the meeting of the monthly support group.
Support Group for Caregivers
A support group for caregivers meets on the second Monday of each month at 2:00 at The Caring Place. Supervision of loved ones with dementia is provided during the meeting.
Would You Like to
Become a Volunteer?
The Caring Place lives and breathes because of its volunteers!
Participant volunteers receive training and interact person-to-person with those who attend The Caring Place.
Support volunteers help with special functions of the ministry such as special dinners and fundraising events.
It’s a great way to spend a day!
My Special Place
Once upon a time among the beautiful hills of Arkansas, there was a small city named Hot Springs. There was also this beautiful gray stone church where very special people gathered on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. These special people were always greeted with a smile and sometimes a big hug or a warm hand.
This places was filled with love and loving people. You could sit and chat with your friends about what was going on in the world or travel back in time to places you had never been. You could sip on coffee, punch or hot chocolate while you ate home-made cookies that were made especially for you.
This was a wonderful place where lots of exciting things were happening. There were lots of things to do and enjoy, like art, music, exercise, pets, Master Gardeners, horticulture, poetry, games, movies, crafts, outings, boat rides, prayer and devotionals. You could take walks or relax, and on special occasions, you could go out to lunch with your friends.
This place was different than most of the places I’ve been in my life. There were no expectations of me. I could enjoy just being myself. I was praised not for my greatest accomplishments, but my smallest. I could utilize all the skills that I had left, no matter how large or small. I felt unique. I felt loved. I was special!
There was this great big room in the gray stone church that was filled with laughter, balls, balloons and bubbles. Once it was filled with the wonderful scents of herbs and flowers some nice lady brought for us to enjoy. We made bath salts and took them home to share with our families. With the help of my friends, we made homemade ice cream, pretzels, lemonade and bread. One day we had great big biscuits some kind man gave us. We served them with jam and made butter all by ourselves.
We were mentally and physically stimulated and we always succeeded. One day one of my friends said, “Don’t we have fun?” Another friend said, “I wish I could come here every day.”
In this too-often complicated and sometimes confusing world, it was a nice place to go where I could be with my friends. I can’t remember how to get there or the name of the nice place. Someone who cares for me will have to take me there, but I know this is a place I want to go and spend the day with my friends.
The End
This story is unique because this story is true. You have just experienced a day with us at The Caring Place.
Written by Lynn Reeves,
Director of The Caring Place
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