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Anchor Program, Asbury UMC — Participants in Asbury’s Anchor program engage in many activities. (Asbury UMC)

Being a caregiver for a family member with memory loss or dementia is difficult and overwhelming. But there is help nearby with Anchor Community Respite Ministry which provides support to caregivers and their loved ones in the Greater Birmingham Area.

Read on to learn what makes this program stand out and why one local is taking steps to enroll her father.

Anchor Community Respite Ministry details

When: Every Tuesday, Wednesday + Thursday | 10AM-2PM
Where: Asbury United Methodist Church, 6690 Cahaba Valley Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242
Cost: $40 per day
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About Asbury’s Anchor program

As a caregiver, it can be difficult to admit you need help. But taking care of another person is tough. It requires a great deal of time, energy and patience.

It also leaves minimal time to take care of yourself.

Bham Now Content Producer Grace Howard knows what it’s like to step into the caregiver role. She and her mom started taking care of her dad last year when he could no longer work or drive after suffering a stroke.

We often think of older adults being caregivers for elderly parents. This isn’t the case for Grace who is just 24 years old.

“When a family member or loved one is afflicted with dementia or other conditions that limit their independence, it’s a very difficult thing for them to accept. They’ve been able to care for themselves and support their families for so long, and now they’re relying on others for their well-being.

Since my mom and I have assumed a caretaking role for my dad, it’s become very important to make sure he doesn’t feel like a burden in his condition. Even when it’s hard for you to provide for them, you never want them to feel guilty.”
Grace Howard

This is where Asbury’s Anchor program steps in to:

Provide fellowship + stimulation to people living with memory loss due to dementia every Tuesday, Wednesday + Thursday from 10AM-2PM.
Give caregivers a break—whether they need to run errands, visit with friends or take a much-needed rest.
Offer a monthly support group for caregivers to come together to share ideas and concerns + learn valuable information from memory loss professionals.

What to expect each day

It can be nerve-wracking leaving a parent or family member in someone else’s care. What’s great about Asbury’s Anchor program is it’s run by caring volunteers who make this program a success by ensuring each participant is treated with kindness and love.

Another big part of the program is providing positive stimulation. We may slow down in many ways as we age, but it’s important to keep ourselves stimulated both mentally and physically.

Some ways they do this is by giving participants a chance to socialize, take part in light exercise and enjoy activities like arts and crafts, puzzles and music.

Here’s what a typical day at Asbury’s Anchor program looks like:

10-10:30AM: Arrival, Coffee, Socialization, Table Time (puzzles, word searches)
10:30-11AM: Physical Fitness (balloon volleyball, bowling, chair yoga)
11-11:30AM: Lemonade & Brain Fitness (trivia, brainstorming, creative writing)
11:30AM-Noon: Activities/Games (guest speakers, bingo, Wheel of Fortune)
Noon-12:30PM: Family-Style Meal (lunch and dessert)
12:30-1PM: Physical Fitness (stretching, dancing)
1-1:30PM: Art (painting, coloring, crafting)
1:30-2PM: Music (singing, guest musical performances)

Asbury United Methodist Church — Puzzles are just one of Anchor’s activities. (Asbury UMC)

After learning about Asbury’s Anchor program, Grace shared some of her thoughts on it.

“One of the biggest challenges you run into as a caretaker is that if you’re working every day, you can’t be around to keep your loved one company and they can begin to feel lonely and bored.

I think things like brain fitness and puzzles at Asbury’s Anchor program are great ways for people like my dad to socialize and exercise their brains with other people who understand the stage of life they’re in.

In some ways, the program can give my dad things that I can’t.”
Grace Howard