Explore the Club
Our Old Friends Clubs offer a welcoming respite two or more days per week. We craft each day around activities that engage members' strengths, sparking connection and joy.
Art, games, gentle exercise, music — our caring staff thoughtfully prepare each day to unfold naturally, with no pressure or haste. The emphasis is simply being present with each member, fostering genuine bonds through shared laughter and uplifting moments.
While members enjoy engaging with peers, we provide care partners much-needed time to recharge and focus on self-care. Our clubs offer a wealth of experiences for members along with crucial support for caregivers.
Fees to attend an Old Friends are billed at the beginning of each month based on number of days scheduled to attend each week. For example, a suggested fee of $800/month for two 5-hour days/week works out to less than $20/hour – less than half the cost of in-home care.
A typical day
9:30 a.m.: Arrive to a warm welcome!
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Coffee talk: Take time to relax and greet friends. Share stories about what is going on in our lives.
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Daily news: Take a look at samples of good news from both local and world news, look at this day in history, discuss daily topics, or holidays.
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Brain games: Trivia, shake loose a memory—anything to get neurons firing and friends reminiscing. Play a lighthearted game of chance (cards, bunko, Kings in the Corner, etc.).
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Breaks: Take bathroom breaks, or just get up and stretch our legs a little.
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Begin preparing for lunch: Clear off tables from previous activities. Wash hands. Get drinks and napkins ready.
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Noon lunchtime: Best shared with friends. Finish up game from before lunch if the group is still interested
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Work on craft/art project: Listen to music. Members are encouraged to engage with other members.
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Physical Activity: Sit and stretch, balloon volley, beanbag toss, etc. Encourages movement and laughter.
2:20 p.m.: Begin to look for care partners to arrive.
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Say our goodbyes and talk about the day we’ve had.
Member Benefits
Exercise: Group exercises and active games improve range-of-motion and balance, build strength, get blood and joints moving, and improve overall wellbeing.
Mental Stimulation: Music, art projects, and other activities exercise mental muscles. Projects are tailored to each person's ability and comfort, with enough challenge to enjoy the satisfaction of success.
Social Interaction: Old Friends Club creates space for community and friendship. The companionship allows group members to care for one another, restores a sense of purpose and even becomes motivation to get moving in the morning.
Nourishment: A nutritious lunch shared with friends nourishes body and soul.
Independence: Engaging with peers outside of the home offers a chance to regain a sense of independence.
Interdependence: Club members discover common ground, make friends and find ways to show kindness to one another. Caring for others is a gift of purpose for people who so often must submit to care.
Additional Benefits
Respite for Care Partners: You are better able to give good care if you take good care of yourself. It's okay, and important, to make sure your own needs are met. Old Friends Club can give you worry-free time to be at home, take care of errands, or catch up with a friend. Take time to breathe and maintain your own mental and physical health.
Affordability: Averaging around $20 an hour, OFC costs far less than other care alternatives. And the benefits listed above have been shown to prevent or delay the need for more expensive care. If a higher level of care is eventually needed, participation with the Club, and learning to trust others for care, eases the transition.
Respite for care partners
Caring for a loved one with dementia is filled with profound purpose, yet can be physically and emotionally draining. Care partners often put their own needs last. Respite provides a vital chance to recharge. It offers time for self-care to renew mind, body, and spirit. Short breaks prevent burnout and sustain the journey. Respite allows care partners to rest and refill their cup so they can continue providing heartfelt support. It’s an oasis that enables resilience along the caregiving path.
