A Heart-filled Response to Dementia

Find Respite Care in North Carolina

      Every 65 seconds, another American develops Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 60-80% of all cases. In North Carolina, countless churches have the space, volunteers, and heart to help these families but may not know where to begin. Your congregation can make a profound difference in your community by providing crucial support to people living with dementia, their care partners, and their families.

      Establishing a dementia and Alzheimer’s respite ministry in North Carolina doesn’t require you to reinvent the wheel. Instead, you can use a proven, sustainable model that transforms existing church spaces into vibrant centers of hope and support. The Respite For All Foundation (RFA) has helped more than 50 churches and organizations nationwide launch successful volunteer-driven programs that serve both their communities.

      Just as importantly, this model that is perfect for churches can also be successfully adapted for senior service organizations, as we have seen in North Carolina.

      A Ministry Model That Works

      The foundation’s journey began in 2012 when co-founder Daphne Johnston launched a Respite Ministry at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Starting in a church basement with just 14 volunteers and two participants, the program rapidly grew to serve 75 weekly participants with over 100 active volunteers, demonstrating the powerful impact a church can have when responding to a growing social need in its community.

      Our unique approach creates a no-label environment where church volunteers and participants form meaningful connections, blurring the lines between those who serve and those we serve. This successful model has earned national recognition from the U.S. Administration on Aging (2016, 2019) and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (2021) and was recently featured in AARP’s 2024 publication on family caregiving.

      Today, we’ve inspired more than 50 programs nationwide, serving over 1,000 families through the compassionate work of more than 1,200 trained volunteers.

      Starting a Respite Ministry

      The following list provides a general overview of what is needed to launch a respite ministry. Your specific requirements may differ.

      • Dedicated space for 4-hour program sessions
      • Accessible restrooms and entrances
      • Storage for program materials
      • Adequate space for both group and quiet activities
      • Liability insurance coverage
      • Compliance with state and local regulations
      • Designated program coordinator
      • Active support from church leadership
      • A core team of committed volunteers
      • Regular volunteer scheduling system

      Welcome to the Family

      Our Respite for All Foundation Inspired Communities

      Respite for All is a national movement of faith-based, volunteer-driven, intergenerational programs working together to build communities of well-being and connection for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Below we have listed all of the current Respite Communities across the United States. For those of you who are looking for more information about local program specifics, please reach out using the contacts below.

      If your church or organization is ready to launch a Respite for All Ministry, please get in touch with our Resource Director, Rev. June Jernigan, by emailing [email protected]. She will help you with the next steps to get started.

      Start Your Respite Ministry in North Carolina

      If you’re looking for a way to utilize your gifts and add meaning to your life, perhaps as a new career or after retirement, we’ve found that starting a Respite Ministry is a great solution.

      “Dementia changes everything. The critical importance of respite services for both care-receiver and caregiver cannot be overstated; it is lifesaving.”

      Lynn Beshear
      RFA Past President, Retired Commissioner, Alabama Department of Mental Health

      Read on to discover why the framework that Respite for All Foundation offers has allowed more than 40 people to start a new career and life purpose.

      What the RFA Model Provides Your Church

      Spiritual Engagement and Community Building

      We show faith communities how to utilize church facilities and the goodwill of dedicated volunteers, creating stronger bonds between the church, its congregation, and the larger community. This spiritually centered approach provides needed support for families living with dementia while nurturing the faith life of all participants. The model also incorporates optional worship services, which are sadly often avoided as families deal with dementia diagnoses.

      Professional Training and Resources

      At Respite for All, we provide churches and organizations with the training and best practices to successfully launch a dementia or memory care respite ministry in North Carolina. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive training and individualized guidance, empowering directors and volunteers to provide friendship, support and engaging experiences for persons living with dementia.

      Fostering Compassion and Community Well-Being

      Establishing a respite ministry can result in transformative changes within your community by meeting the needs of families facing dementia-related challenges. These ministries promote a culture of empathy and volunteerism, providing much-needed support for care partners and their loved ones. Unlike a long-term care facility, the RFA model creates a warm, community-centered environment that benefits everyone involved.

      Enriching Activities and Social Programs

      Designed to bring joy and enrichment, our Respite for All programs offer diverse activities to benefit individuals with dementia. Creative outlets, cognitive exercises, and social engagements balance physical and mental stimulation. Through music, art, and communal meals, participants enjoy a friendly and inviting environment filled with laughter and camaraderie.

      About Respite for All Foundation

      Let the Respite for All Foundation show you how to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals living with dementia.

      Respite for All is a national network of faith-based, volunteer-driven programs dedicated to creating communities of well-being and connection for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

      If you are an individual, church, or organization in Alabama that is interested in launching a respite ministry and joining the Respite for All network, please email [email protected].

      Together, we can build successful local respite communities that provide social support for families living with dementia.