What is Respite?

Respite is a short period of rest or relief during a difficult time.  Hope Haven is a whole-person ministry that provides respite for caregivers and their loved ones. We engage heart, mind, and body to bring hope, joy, dignity and purpose to the lives of our friends living with dementia or other cognitive challenges. 

The benefits are threefold:

1. Caregivers receive rest and relief from 24/7 caregiving to attend to their own needs which contributes to an increased quality of life for the whole family.
2. Our friends with dementia have an opportunity for purposeful engagement with people with similar challenges while being stimulated socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually
3. Volunteers are able to use their spiritual gifts and talents to love and serve those in need.

Potential participants are interviewed by the Director to ensure the applicant is medically stable and will be comfortable and capable of  interacting and socializing with others in a group setting. Participants must be able to:

• Self-feed
• Self-toilet
• Ambulate independently without posing danger to themselves or others (assistive devices permitted)
•  Function in a group setting

The flu vaccine and TB skin test are required for volunteers and participants.

Hope Haven is a faith-based respite program that will open at St. John's Church in downtown Savannah. For four hours a day, 1-2 days a week, participants will join with trained volunteers for a day full of games, music, art, exercise, shared meals and purposeful service projects. There is no distinction made between a participant and a volunteer - creating an atmosphere of service and allowing all involved to form connections and support each other through life’s challenges.  The program allows the participant to have a feeling of independence; it gives the caregiver time for themselves; and it provides meaning and joy to the volunteers who are able to serve as God commanded. If we know how much God has done for us, we can glorify him by doing the same for others.   “Freely you have received, freely give” (St. Matthew 10:8).  

The video below is by Respite for All and provides a good overview of the program. 

Respite for All is providing guidance for our ministry.