Day Away – Caring for the Caregiver

To celebrate Thanksgiving both volunteers and participants gathered for a turkey dinner to give thanks for another year of the blessings bestowed on them.  Few participants have left Day Away and it’s always hard to say good bye to them.  New participants have joined Day Away and have become members of the Day Away family. Day Away would like to thank all who help to make the program a wonderful place to be.

Day Away is holding its third annual holiday open house on Thursday, December 8th from 2:00-4:00 p.m.  “Kitchen Sync”, a barber shop quartet will be arriving at 3:00 to provide entertainment.  The quartet performed last year and was a huge success!  Refreshments will be provided and the halls will be decked for the Christmas season.

Day Away is hosting a forum of medical professionals who will discuss topics on memory loss, Alzheimers disease, dementia and coping skills for caregivers.  The event will be held on Saturday, November 12th at the Minot-Sleeper Library 35 Pleasant St., in Bristol, NH.  All are welcome to attend.poster-informational-forum-on-alzheimers

Day Away participant Sheila Adams draws the winning raffle ticket assisted by Program Administrator Fran Olson as volunteers look on with the winning quilt.

Volunteers of Day Away spent many hours over the summer selling raffle tickets for a beautiful handmade quilt made with love by volunteer and Steering Committee member Nel Garden.  The lucky winner of the quilt was Monica Hart of MA who has owned property on Newfound Lake for 47 years and spends much of the summer and fall at the lake.  Thanks to all who purchased tickets. More than $2,000 was raised to assist with the programs needs and to assist a participant with their modest weekly fee. Congratulations Monica!!

From L-R, Volunteer Bette Libby, Helen Duschene, participants Barbara, Sheila and Florence

Every Thursday Caregivers bring
Their loved ones for a day of play
At Day Away.

Greeted with a smile from volunteers,
We visit for awhile.  Together we sing
Songs listen to poetry, create crafts.

Participants and volunteers
Become one in friendship
As we share stories of our children,
Hobbies, jobs, interests and joy.

Our hearts are a little warmer,
A little kinder, and a little stronger
After a day at Day Away

Helen L. Duschene, August 2016

Day Away is fortunate to have local artists, poets, and musicians visit frequently to entertain our participants.  Recently local musician, Bette Libby was our guest.For many years, Bette taught classroom music in the Newfound Elementary Schools (1975-78, 1982-2008). Since retirement  from full-time teaching in 2008, she has had time for leading senior sing-alongs, providing church music, and teaching piano lessons.

If you would like to share your talent(s) with our program we would love to have you! Contact Fran Olson under our contact tab.

Participants and Volunteers enjoying local entertainers Libby Danahy and Bob Patton

Rev. Mary Francis Drake

The Minot-Sleeper Library 35, Pleasant St., in Bristol and The Day Away Program welcome you to join Rev Mary Francis Drake on Saturday June 11, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm as we view and discuss the Frontline presentation of Atul Gawande’s “Being Mortal”.  This book and video have caused a ripple in the medical community due to Dr Gawande’s frank and probing questions about the state of aging and dying in America.  In addition to leading a discussion of the video and book; Rev Mary Francis will speak about the living choices and dying wishes that each of us need to be considering, whether we are young or old, healthy or ill. From advance directives to POLST and DNR forms, these conversations are best held early and often so that each of us has the opportunity to choose for ourselves whether that be allowing a natural death or seeking life support (POLST-Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment; DNR – Do Not Resuscitate).

The event is free and light refreshments will be served.  Please contact Rebecca Herr at 744- 5626 or hatsherr@aol.com if you are interested in attending.  The Library currently has limited copies of the book and program guides available for anyone who may choose to read it before the event.  You can also contact them directly for more information at 744-3352.

Rev Mary Francis Drake, MA, MSW, is a hospice chaplain, social worker and manager with Pemi-Baker Community Health.  She is currently the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the NH Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

National volunteer week was April 10-16 this year and Day Away celebrated their volunteer’s service with a gathering at The Homestead Restaurant in Bristol, NH.  Day Away is flourishing! Day Away began two and one half years ago and last year logged over 4,000 volunteer hours.  Rev. Shirley Marcroft was the featured guest who spoke to the volunteers on the topic “Tools for Saying Good-Bye.”  At Day Away, friendships are formed with our participants and volunteers  and over time participants move on as we lose them to disease progression and some have had  to move on to more structured programs.  It is a difficult time when we have to say good bye, most we will never see again.  Thank you volunteers for your dedication, loyalty and love.  We couldn’t do it with you!!

Linda and Toby enjoying lunch

Frank, Jordan and Florence share lunch with new friends

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, participants and volunteers gathered together to make shamrock pins, share stories about Ireland and enjoy a pot luck lunch!  Volunteers made their favorite dish or dessert which everyone enjoyed and Irish music filled the room.  Another great day at Day Away!!