Page 14 - APR2023

Page 14 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM April 2023 Community
New Found Area’s Day Away Program is Back
By Donna RhoDes
BRISTOL – After a three- year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, organizers of the Newfound Area’s Day Away program are excited to announce that it is making a comeback in 2023 as they gear up to re-intro- duce their Alzheimer’s respite program to residents of Central New Hampshire.
Sandra Coleman, RN, BSN of Ashland (The Boss as her cli- ents lovingly call her) has headed up the Day Away activities at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on West Shore Rd. in Bristol since it began locally in August of 2013.
“This is one of four Day Away programs in the state, in- cluding Manchester, Concord, and Lincoln, and was the last one that they opened,” Coleman explained. “They’re all under the Diocese of Manchester and are fully insured respite centers
and Better than Ever
for the caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer’s or adults with re- lated dementias.”
Understanding the round the clock care that is necessary when someone has Alzheimer’s, the program offers a day of respite, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each Thursday, for those caregivers. After dropping their loved one off, they are free to head out to enjoy a day of shopping, time with friends, or attend any ap- pointments they may have lined up for themselves.
Each Thursday, providing one-on-one care for participants in Day Away starts with coffee, tea, and pastries as everyone gathers together and greets one another. Once they’ve all settled in, though, the real fun gets un- derway.
The six hours each week are filled with crafts, games, and even visiting musicians, storytellers,
Participants in the Day Away program in Bristol, which provides a day of fun and social activities for those dealing with Alzheimers and other dementias, have enjoyed activities, meals, crafts and entertainment over the years while their caregiviers are given a day to relax and take care of themselves as well. Last month the program was excited to announce they are now accepting new applicants as they reopen their doors for the first time in three years.
and guests who introduce them to a variety of topics such as bee- keeping, gardening, local history, and more.
During the nice weather, they take walks around the church property, have cookouts, and even play a game of whiffle ball now and then. One summer, the participants even created an outdoor garden where everyone helped raise vegetables that were
then used for lunches. “We stay busy, that’s for sure,” Coleman said.
Each day has a theme, and the lunch table is decorated ac- cordingly. Volunteer Cecile Fre- schette, also an RN, said some participants might be a bit hesi- tant at first but soon fall right into step with the program and really look forward to spending time with new friends.
“They become attached to all of us and really love it,” she said. Bingo has been a big hit with their groups in the past. Small prizes are awarded to winners, and the competition may seem a bit fierce at times, but it’s always
friendly.
Crafts are one of the other
favorite activities at Day Away.
DAY AWAY
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