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Our Program Coordinator, Lori, was looking for more than just a craft project and ended up finding even more value than she planned. Lori shares with us what she discovered. "Shooting for the Stars" came about because I was looking for a "building" project, not just a craft project, because I have so many men in my program. One of the other Program Coordinators, Mary, showed me a picture of a project she had seen in a store that she thought she might do some day. I completed the one in this picture and learned what needed to be changed to make the project more doable by our members. I initially loved the idea of this project as it would involve using a hammer & nails; however, in actually doing it with the members, it has provided so much more. First of all, every member has participated in the project to their fullest extent, which of course differs for everyone. As you can see from the pictures, everyone has been very focused when working on the project. Many members have commented on how nice their project looks, which is amazing to see how proud they are of their accomplishment. Moreover, it is a project that we are working on over the course of several weeks and which provides many different opportunities to express creativity, use fine motor skills, and helps each member to focus on the project and not their concerns/anxieties for at least a few moments in the day. Eventually the project will also provide the opportunity to use a hammer and lots of nails if they so choose. The "Shooting for the Stars" project has been more successful than I could have imagined as there is no wrong way to do it…just however the member envisions it, combined with their abilities, and working together. The pictures from this project also inspired this Old Friends Club New Year's Video. Do you have some creative ideas or some special skills that you would like to share with our members? Consider volunteering with us and contact us today! Join in on the community and fun!

Words can’t express the depth of our gratitude for the dedication and compassion of the volunteers who come each week to spend a day with the Members of the Club. They help keep people engaged and safe, and offer one-on-one attention. With their help, the program staff can ensure that everyone knows they are seen, heard and valued. Other volunteers schedule time to share something special. Their kindnesses come in all shapes -- in December it might mean turning evergreens and sparkly things into holiday centerpieces or creating festive cards for faraway friends. This week, volunteers Barb, Larry, and Bob lead Members at all four Clubs in some jolly Christmas caroling. There was much merriment this week with the help of many volunteers. Do you have some creative ideas or some special skills that you would like to share with our members? Consider volunteering with us and contact us today! Join in on the community and fun!

We heard from one of our Program Coordinators, Susie, that some of her recent volunteer guests experienced a moment of confusion as they thought they were seeing double…two Santas? Here is what happened. He he! Well, the preschool came to sing Christmas carols and the teacher, Doreen, asked the kids to introduce themselves. She then asked us to introduce ourselves..."I'm miss Alice, I'm miss Carol", etc. until it came to Bill who said "I'm Santa!" The kiddies little faces were a picture! You could see their thoughts written all over their faces as it sank in that they were singing to Santa. But then there were a couple of them who at that point had eyes darting from Bill to Rick and back again as if to say "ey?" because Rick also bore a striking resemblance to Santa with his elf headband on! Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone must have had a jolly ol' laugh indeed…Merry Christmas! Would you like to join the merriment? Consider volunteering with us and contact us today! Join in on the community and fun!

- Larry Benitez "Today is a day to reflect on how we can contribute to a better tomorrow." That's how his poetry started, what followed would profoundly affect me. The man pictured here is dealing with dementia. He also happens to be a published poet. On the first day I performed at the Old Friends Club that he belongs to, he did not sit in the semi-circle with the other members during the sing-along. Instead, he chose to sit by himself at a table in the back of the room. While he was not seated with the group, I could see he was listening and could occasionally see his lips move. He would applaud after each song was over and sat quietly for the most part. At some point during my hour-long sing-along, he stood up and walked over to a large double-sided whiteboard. While I sang, he stood, obscured by the board and was obviously writing something. After some time, he emerged from behind the white-board and sat back down at his table, away from the sing-along activity, but continued to participate in his own way, with his acknowledging applause. Old Friends Club is a non-profit organization that provides a daytime care option for family caregivers taking care of loved ones with cognitive challenges at home. The social and community focused atmosphere promotes friendship and fun through group activities while providing peace of mind to caregivers, giving some time back in their day, and allowing them to re-energize themselves with respite. Old Friends Club welcomes volunteers to share their time and talents to play games, do art projects, play music, sing songs, or tell jokes, among other things. Today, the members sang, clapped, and danced to the songs I played. After the sing-along session was over, the club's program director came up to me to tell me that the gentlemen in the back of the room wrote a message for me and wanted me to read it before I left. I gathered my equipment and walked to the board where the program director rotated the large whiteboard around, so I could see the other side. Here is what I read: "Today is a day to reflect on how we can contribute to a better tomorrow. Help a neighbor, help a neighborhood, become a leader in your community and share your expertise in an effort to strengthen the future for others, and the entire community!! Thursday the 27th…. There is still time!! " The date was actually Thursday June 28th, 2018 but I wasn't going to correct it. While he had not joined the sing-along circle that day, the activity itself and the potential positive impact it can have, was not lost on this man. He chose to write down an expression of what he characterized as someone, me, sharing one’s expertise (singing, playing music) to strengthen others and the community, as a leader, helping a neighbor or neighborhood. I was touched and honored by words. I told him that what he wrote was beautiful and I thanked him for taking the time to write it. He asked me if I liked it, and I told him that I did, that I liked it a lot. He thanked me for sharing my thoughts on his words and said that it was kind of me to read it and share my feedback. Then he told me that he enjoyed my music and hoped to see me play again sometime. In my mind, I thought, how could I possibly refuse this kind and gentle man. Of course, I would return. The sing-along itself was fun for me and the members. It gave me the opportunity to play my banjo and sing bluegrass songs with them, but there was more going on than just singing songs. Connections were being made, people were interacting with the music, engaging in memories, stories, and even dancing. My desire to volunteer my time and donate to Old Friends Club when I can is knowing there is limited time in providing this kind of social engagement with folks in their predicament which also provides their families much needed and deserved respite. There is no cure for Alzheimer's/dementia and the symptoms only get worse over time. Someday, the people I sing with, will need higher levels of care beyond daytime activities and will likely need long-term care. The time to engage is finite. He wrote, "Today is a day to reflect on how we can contribute to a better tomorrow." and "There is still time!!". When I host a sing-along with the Old Friend Club members, I sing with them for "today" because soon, their "tomorrow" may be lost forever. Do you have some creative ideas or some special skills that you would like to share with our members? Consider volunteering with us and contact us today! Join in on the community and fun!

- Susanne Rossi In a nutshell: Each person is a Member of the Club, valued, respected and appreciated The Clubs are small, 10-12 Members on any given day We meet in comfortable, familiar settings (e.g. fellowship halls) We stick together -- letting each person shine and share their strengths with others We're all Members Program participants are welcomed as Club Members, fostering a sense of belonging. Each person is seen and heard and knows they are valued. Keeping it small By keeping the Clubs small, we can meet each member's needs and interests which is critical to keeping them engaged and active. A larger group can often be overwhelming and overstimulating at times which may contribute to a members stress or confusion. Our small groups also encourage friendship, allowing members to 'know' each other, even if they don't always remember names. This is why we call our programs a 'club' and not a center. Time and again, we see members come out of their shell, even when we've been told that 'they won't like talking to others' or 'they don't say much to other people'. Once the member settles into the routine, it is amazing to see them open up to their new-found friends. Making it familiar and friendly Sometimes the destination itself may cause reluctance and created a negative attitude to participating in social activities. I learned long ago that the idea of going to a Senior Center is not for everybody and for some it may feel like 'it's for old people', or attending a program at a long-term care facility felt like going to a hospital or created an incorrect assumption that they are going to be left behind for good. Old Friends Club holds programs in the local community and typically partnering with local churches who share in a community mission. The environments are usually fellowship halls or youth centers which are inviting, comfortable, and familiar for members. These gathering places provide a natural, welcoming place where club members can easily relate with fun and friendship. Sticking Together Because the groups are small, we are all together most of the day. This lets the strengths of each member shine, and allows people to care for one another. We all need this. There are times when it makes sense to gather around opposite ends of a table to accommodate interests or abilities, or maybe a smaller game or puzzle, but we still enjoying that camaraderie of being together. These are the key differences and why Old Friends Club is a vibrant and complementary option for extending your loved one's care at home. We can discuss your family's specific situation with you to better understand your needs and how Old Friends Club will benefit your loved one. Feel free to contact us through our website, phone, or Facebook. Do you know a family who might benefit from joining Old Friends Club? Share this blog post, our OFC Facebook page, and our OFC website with them. They can contact us by phone or on our Old Friends Club Contact Us page. Search for frequently asked questions at our OFC FAQ page.