How Respite Changes the World
Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., and by 2050 that number is projected to be more than doubled. New systems need to be implemented to provide a better quality of life while living with dementia, and they need to be developed right now!
Until the formation of the Respite for All Foundation, few national organizations out there could serve the social and spiritual needs of both the care partner and the person diagnosed with the disease—especially not one that churches or community organizations could easily replicate.
The Respite for All Foundation is a nonprofit with a mission to inspire, grow, and mentor new programs all over the country. We don’t care if you’re in a tiny town or if you’re in a big city. There is a need for one of these Respite communities on every corner.
Respite for All, Even for You!
At Respite for All, we reclaim Joy daily through love, hugs, sharing, and meaning. It’s neighbor helping neighbor, and that’s how we’ve grown to 30 communities, and we’re working towards one on every corner, but we can’t do it without your support.
“At Respite we are all ‘neighbors’ who love one another with a gladness and singleness of heart that epitomizes joy. It amazes me how often those who’ve come to serve are on the receiving end and vice versa. Everyone connected to Respite reaps rewards.”Kevin Blanton
Respite Volunteer
Our Estimated Impact
(Estimated Numbers for 2023)
RESPITE COMMUNITIES
TRAINED, ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS
PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA ENGAGED
VOLUNTEER HOURS SERVED
Respite for All communities are based on a social model of care.
- Be able to care for their own restroom needs
- Be comfortable in a large group setting.
- Eat on their own
- Ambulation requirements, along with paid care attendants, are decided by local communities.
Respite for All is the new way forward.
Real People. Real Service. Real Respite for All.
The Respite for All model was initially designed to give a break to care partners. However, it quickly evolved to extend that same break to the volunteers. They are the lifeblood of our program. Without them, we wouldn’t exist.
Learn more about the Respite for All volunteer model and their driving force behind each community.
Get Your Copy of Reclaiming Joy Together!
For those whose lives have been completely disrupted by a diagnosis of dementia, where do they turn? When loved ones lose their autonomy, their driver’s licenses, and their responsibilities, where do they find anchor? Where do they go to restore meaning and purpose, to make new friends, and enjoy social interaction? How can they piece back together parts of their lives that still bring joy? The answer is simple, it’s in volunteer Respite.
Authored by Daphne Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO of the Respite for All Foundation, Reclaiming Joy Together serves as both inspiration and a practical tool to help you successfully build a Respite Community.
NOW AVAILABLE:
The Respite for All Roadmap Training Course
“At Respite, (my husband) actually had a break from the anxiety he felt at home and the loneliness of the disease. It gave me time I needed to accomplish house and yard work and business matters and provided a much-needed break. The time to myself was a gift, but to see him engulfed by a group of friends again was priceless. The love of my life meant something to people again. He was part of something greater than himself, and it gave quality to his life and to mine. Respite provided an outlet for both of us to rest, recover and re-energize. The program not only enabled us to live together at home but provided both of us with love and support. It was a wonderful blessing for him and continues to be for me as I have come back to volunteer since his death.”Linda Wilson
Respite care partner and volunteer
Does your church want to be a leader in solving a growing community need? To find new ways of outreach to isolated neighbors? Or maybe you’re an organization ready to bring new hope to your community.
The Roadmap to a Respite for All Community video training was produced for local visioning and leadership teams to understand the theory, processes, and benefits of launching a Respite Ministry. This series was developed to help church staff, board of directors, educators, and leaders understand the best practices that have helped sustain the 27 communities in the Respite for All network.
Our Training Includes:
See Our Latest Annual Report!
We are proud to present you with our most recent Annual Report and hope you take a moment to see all the progress we’ve made in inspiring, growing and mentoring Volunteer Respite Communities.
The Herb of Memory
Rosemary has been linked to the concepts of enduring love, memory enhancement, and in the 14th Century, it was believed to restore vitality. The three rosemary sprigs of the Respite for All Foundation logo represent people living with dementia, their care partners, and community volunteers—all of whom are in need of the spirit of Respite.
See Our Growing Network of Respite Communities Across the Country
If you or someone you know has been touched by dementia and are looking for support, click below to see our current list of communities across the US. If you don’t see a Respite community in your area, why not champion the cause? Follow this link for more on how to get started and why we need you and your community in our network too!
Alzheimer’s Is About
More than a Disease. It’s About People.
New systems must be implemented to provide a better quality of life while living with dementia. The Respite for All model affords those diagnosed with levels of engagement and socialization that other social support care models failed to do. But don’t just take it from us. We’ll let the medical experts share their insights too.
News, Events, and More
Keep up with the latest from Respite for All by exploring our press, statements, and other media resources.