ABSTRACT
The Respite Ministry (RM) was founded by a Montgomery, Alabama, church to provide social and spiritual support in the community for individuals living with dementia and their family members. Though RM is led by a small staff, the majority of program hours are donated by trained volunteers. The curriculum stimulates participant cognition and self-worth through structured activities that include: exercise, group conversations, service projects, and collective worship. During these activities, participants and volunteers are melded together in a shared experience that de-emphasizes distinctions and fosters a loving spirit. This model of care has been replicated in 18 different cities.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.