Sarah Schaffner started with an introduction of her family and role at Ezekiel as Visitation Pastor, as an interim preacher at a Glenwood City church, and as program coordinator for Among Friends Dementia Respite as well as mother to four children
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Among Friends is still operating out of First Congregational Church. Having a 1 hour per week of social time is important for those dealing with dementia and as a break for caregivers. Volunteers are essential to operating the group. The service currently hosts around 12 guests each Tuesday and Thursday. Sarah said that it would be ideal to be open every day but that requires the group to have more volunteers. AF is a social respite program and not a licensed adult day care program. AF Board President Bonnie Jones-Withun noted that some guests still have working spouses. Transportation is provided by families. AF has a close relationship with ADRC in town. Click READ MORE for more about Among Friends and about Sarah.
AF is starting to see of a recovery from Covid when the service was shut down. Currently Tuesdays typically have 8 people who volunteer, which sounds like a lot but there are guests who need 1 on 1 attention. It is important to have a volunteer for every 2-3 guests.
People who sign up to volunteer receive a background check followed by training of new volunteers. AF has also begun to offer refresher training. Bill Montgomery mentioned that there is a “gray zone” of dementia as to who needs care at the level that AF offers. Volunteers range in how much time they can commit. Some come for part of a day, some start at 8:30 and stay till 3. There are also people behind the scenes or who offer a special talent – reading poetry, playing an instrument, doing crafts, etc.
About the Speaker: In addition to being the program coordinator at Among Friends, Sarah Schaffner is the Visitation Pastor at Ezekiel Lutheran and is a long term supply preacher at Holy Cross in Glenwood City. Her favorite hat to wear, however, is Mama to her four children.