TESTIMONIALS – Stanford House Senior Activity Center

TIME OUT by Lucy Stark Sutton

THOUGHTS FROM A SUPPORTER

Having been born and raised here, I moved back to Gainesville in 1995 and was promptly recruited into the Soroptimist Club by longtime Soroptimist member AND Time Out Director, Evelyn Yeatts. As a Soroptimist, I learned and grew, made friends and renewed friendships, served and was served, and found the Time Out program to be a most unique service project of all Soroptimist Clubs of which I was aware. Soroptimist of Gainesville still gains notoriety for this much-needed and highly unique project.

Time Out was always such a joy for me to serve and observe. As a Soroptimist member, you were asked to bring lunch for Time Out participants and volunteers on a rotating schedule. I can’t think of a time – ok, maybe once – that I brought lunch and didn’t stay to serve, join in the activity and personally witness how very special four hours every Wednesday with these VERY special people were. The participants love the reminiscing activities, arts and crafts, music, puzzles, and of course, the FOOD. The volunteers love the sheer joy experienced by participants and giving the caregivers a bit of well-deserved respite. Most importantly, the caregiver gets a planned four-hour span of time to do anything they want or need, or nothing at all. Time Out gives peace of mind to the caregiver; love, respect, and safe healthy activity to the loved one; need and purpose to the volunteer. Most of all, Time Out gives JOY to all three.

I personally experienced Alzheimer’s in my family, however, I was not the primary caregiver. I was aware and knowledgeable of Time Out and encouraged the caregiver – an even closer loved one – of its significance and its ability to make a difference to caregivers and loved ones of Alzheimers. Walking the rope of respect and personal knowledge, I tried (and tried) yet wasn’t able to sway my loved one to let go for the good of all…even for four hours on Wednesdays. It’s sometimes hard to do the best thing for someone when you’re so close you can’t see the full picture; you’re simply doing the best you know how, putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. BUT the caregiver can seek help or listen to a trusted friend or loved one to help them see the “forest for the trees.”

To be a better caregiver is to care for yourself every chance you can. Time Out offers the most trusted peace of mind for caregivers and their loved one I have ever seen. Ask me – or ask anyone who has participated or volunteered in the program’s 30+ years. Four hours a week can make such a difference to you and your loved one.

Time Out is totally funded through donations, supported by the Soroptimist Club of Gainesville. Texoma Area on Aging, and the Stanford House. It is a weekly program, giving 4 hours of respite to caregivers each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to participants. Lunch is provided for participants and volunteers.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH by Nasha Craddock

Many in this time of COVID-19 feel stressed. It’s so important to maintain mental health. We feel isolated and helpless. We can’t hug friends and loved ones. We fear being close to others. We can’t express our smiles through masks.

many turn to the practice of meditation. What more can be more accessible is the practice of Mindfulness. You only have to slow down and pay attention to everything around you and to yourself. You can take a walk in nature and listen to the quiet. You can sit quietly and watch your breath. Slow it down and breathe deeply.

The benefits are enormous especially if you suffer from stress, anxiety, pain, depression, insomnia, or high blood pressure. When practicing, you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. I will go further and say this is when I can listen to God more clearly.

A page from Chose Joy, 3 Minute Devotions

Refreshment in Dry Times

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

Sometimes our lives feel just like the grass – dry and listless. Maybe we’re in a season where things seem to stand still: we have tried everything to change our circumstances for the better to no avail. It is during those times that we need to remember the faithfulness of God and the permanence of His Word. His promises to us are many and true. God will leave us or forsake us: and He will provide for, love, and protect us. And just like the drought – eventually our personal dry times – will give way to growth, refreshment, and beauty.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to remember Your love during difficult times of dryness. You are everything I need and the refreshment I seek. Praise to my Living Water.