Two Alabama Baptist churches have seen a tremendous need and are making a difference in the lives of people and families living with dementia.
More than 6 million Americans live with dementia or Alzheimer’s in the United States and that number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Respite for All website. RFA is an Alabama-based non-profit that began in 2012 to assist people living with dementia and their caregivers and families.
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First Baptist Church Huntsville and The Church at Liberty Park Birmingham learned more about the ministry and are now in RFA’s network of churches.
Oasis RespiteCare in Huntsville
Alabama is not exempt to dementia, noted Allan Greer, minister to experienced adults (age 60+) at First Baptist. He estimated there are more than 110,000 people living with dementia in Alabama, with more than 180,000 family members serving as “unpaid caregivers.”
Greer and his wife, Nancy, cared for his mother who lived with Alzheimer’s for more than 12 years. After observing an RFA at Canterbury United Methodist Church Birmingham, he left “not only wondering why the church was not more engaged in this meaningful ministry to the community but also thinking how my mom would have benefited from a respite care ministry,” he recalled.
Greer presented RFA to First Baptist and Oasis RespiteCare was born, celebrating its first anniversary March 11, noted director Greg Ellison.
The ministry has grown from four or five people when it was launched to about 15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Ellison said. It is open to anyone living with dementia in Huntsville and North Alabama, and welcomes people from all faiths and backgrounds.
“I think we will continue to grow and will probably add a third day, probably by midyear, if not before,” he said.
The church also has a support group for caregivers that meets twice a month.
Ellison said there has been no shortage of volunteers, which include members of First Baptist and other churches. He noted there currently are 80–100 each week and more will be needed as days are added.
“The volunteers just love coming and interacting with the folks and seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter. … You really get more than you give, even as a volunteer.”
Ellison noted Oasis has been beneficial for both those living with dementia and the caregivers.
“The participants have enjoyed building relationships. We call this their ‘me time’ because it gives them a break from their caregiver. It’s been positive for everyone.”
Hoping other churches in North Alabama will catch the vision for the ministry, Ellison said, “We can only help so many folks and there are so many people with a need (for respite care).”
As for First Baptist, he said the church may add a fourth day next year.
“We’re just waiting to see what God has planned. If He keeps providing the participants and the volunteers, we will keep growing.”
Pathways at Liberty Park in Birmingham
The Church at Liberty Park has a similar story, noted Leigh Simmons, director of the Pathways ministry.
She learned of the respite effort while serving as a member of the church’s ministry council, investigating and exploring at a couple of churches in the city that already had respite care.
The church began offering its ministry in October 2024 and it has been held on Wednesdays ever since, growing to 15 participants weekly. Because of the growth and need, the church will open on Mondays beginning March 9, Simmons said. Ten people living with dementia already have signed up.
“We wanted to make sure we were really strong before we began the second day,” she said.
Pathways has been a success, she affirmed, adding most of the people they serve are from the community.
“The proof is in the pudding. The participants come every week with a smile on their face and when they leave, they tell us it was their ‘funnest’ day and they come back the next week.”
She related the story of one person who said she looks forward to Wednesday every week because every other day she just sits in front of a TV.
“The caregivers tell us the ministry is their most important day of the week,” Simmons added. “They are able to attend Bible studies, go shopping or have lunch with friends.”
Simmons tries to keep in touch with caregivers weekly primarily via text messaging.
“I tell them we are looking forward to seeing them and they respond that they can’t wait. … I want them to know that we care and are there for them.”
The church has about 50 volunteers and they all enjoy the ministry, Simmons said.
“Most of the volunteers are retirees. They come back every week and they are loving it. They laugh and participate and bond with those living with dementia. They also have formed bonds and friendships with others.
“We feel very blessed that God was preparing us for this ministry,” Simmons said. “We are looking forward to the second day. We just enjoy it.”
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