What is Side by Side?
Side by Side is a pastoral care and community outreach ministry designed as an informal-care version of a day program. Time spent at the program provides warmly encouraging fellowship for people living with dementia, and respite time for their care partners. The program takes place in an informal and relaxed atmosphere where enthusiastic and caring volunteers walk alongside participants as friends and neighbours.
Each participant is matched with a companion volunteer who ensures that the participant is included and supported throughout the 4.5 hours of the program. Spiritual nurture is integrated into the program through the devotion time and in singing. Most importantly, each person is recognized as a loved child of God with a unique and valuable contribution to make to our community just by being who they are.
A Typical Day at Side by Side
| Activity | Duration |
| Morning Coffee | 30 minutes |
| Brain Gym ® | 15-30 minutes |
| Devotion | 15 minutes |
| Gentle Exercise | 15-30 minutes |
| Creative time (craft, game, discussion, other) | 30 minutes |
| Music Therapy | 0-30 minutes |
| Lunch | 60 minutes |
| Bocce Ball | 15 minutes |
| Singing – hymns and secular songs | 45 minutes |
| Afternoon Tea | 15-30 minutes |
Since care partners are responsible for bringing participants and picking them up, the day begins and ends with a casual social/refreshment time that allows care partners some flexibility for arrival and departure times. These refreshment times also provide care partners a chance to meet other care partners, and to communicate with the program coordinator.
In general, activities last only 15 to 30 minutes, so that there is variety and no single activity goes on for too long. Each activity has a designated space within one large room, and movement occurs between each activity. Activities that require moderate physical exertion alternate with calmer activities. Where possible, each activity is led by a different person, which adds interest and variety. All are encouraged to participate, and most do, but participants may opt out of the group activities if they wish.
If a participant prefers not to take part in the group activity, their companion, with the support of the program coordinator, will offer another activity based on the participant’s interests. This might include providing drawing materials, a deck of cards, colouring pages, a game, a word search, or conversation over a cup of tea or coffee. When the next activity begins, the participant is again invited and encouraged to join the group.
While most participants enjoy taking part in the group, having other choices available respects the needs and wishes of the participant and supports a positive mood that will carry over into the rest of their day. Having a high ratio of volunteers to participants enables this.
If you are a care partner for someone living with dementia, and you are interested in attending the Side by Side day program at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Calgary, AB, Canada, please check out the brochure on the St. Andrew’s webpage to learn more, and to contact the program coordinator directly. Click to learn more >> St. Andrew’s Calgary
God is weaving a tapestry of care
that connects all of us in Grace.
Come. Be part of it.
Let’s build something together.
© sidebyside.care 2020
Side by Side 