Hamburg United Methodist Church Respite Program

03/22/2026

03/22/2026

03/20/2026

Great explanation

03/17/2026

The scariest part of dementia isn’t always memory loss—it’s losing the sense of being needed."
When someone we love is diagnosed, our first instinct is to protect them. We say, "Don’t worry about the cooking," or "I’ll handle the bills." We mean well, but "subtracting" these roles can make them feel pushed out of their own lives.
The most powerful shift we can make is Substitution instead of Subtraction.
When a task becomes too difficult, don’t just take it away. Find a way they can still contribute: If cooking is unsafe , ask them to wash the vegetables or set the table.
If money is too complex, let them sort coins or organize receipts.
If they can’t drive, ask them to be the "navigator" and help plan the route.
If they can’t clean, ask them to fold the towels or pair the socks.
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s purpose.
People living with dementia still need to feel useful, respected, and involved. When we focus on what they can do, we reduce the anxiety and withdrawal that comes from feeling sidelined.
Dementia changes abilities, but it never erases the human need for meaning. Let’s keep them at the heart of their own story.
Be kind.

03/12/2026

It may have been gray and gloomy outside, but once inside, it was warm and bright with creativity flowing as we created sun catchers - because we have faith that someday the sun will come out! And it was the perfect day for some comfort food like our delicious tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch! We followed up with bingo after lunch and our sing-along featuring Chris Klimecko on the keyboard, filling in for our regular pianist Barb Meader.

02/18/2026

02/17/2026

Look at all our famous people!! We made the news!

Once a month, caregivers in Hamburg have a chance to take a break, while the seniors they care for have some fun and spend the day with volunteers.

02/11/2026

02/11/2026

Kings and Queens for the Day! Our guests got the royal treatment today for Glamour Day! They got to choose the attire for the regal photos and had so much fun dressing up and getting their picture taken. We quick printed the pictures and inserted them into the frames that they decorated today at craft time and tucked them into a gift bag that they also had a chance to decorate. They gave the framed keepsake to their caregivers when they came to pick them up as a Valentine's Day gift.
Taylor Epps, WKBW channel 7 reporter, also popped in to do a piece on the respite program and even interviewed a few of our guests. The piece will air on the news tonight at 6pm on WKBW Channel 7 or some other time soon.
The Mighty Thor visited us and we had the most delicious chicken lasagna lunch made by Kyle Steevers. It was definitely a hit!
We also played bingo and had our sing-along as usual. And Linda Dinger had a group in for their Memories in the Making watercolor painting as well. Everyone was in a great frame of mind when they went home with their loved ones. Happy Valentine's Day from everyone here at HUMC Respite!

02/08/2026

All we have to do is make it through tonight!

11/13/2025

What a Duo!