The Family Caregivers Center provides access to vital services and helps connect caregivers to local resources, which may include:
- Hourly or overnight respite.
- Task volunteers to assist with housework, offer companionship or run errands, for example.
- Educational sessions.
- Access to resources.
- Therapies, including art, music, pet or massage, if needed.
The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy has already developed working relationships with the United Way, the Heritage Agency on Aging, Aging Services and the Alzheimer's Association, all of which support this innovative service.
Caregivers may call the center directly. They may also be referred by medical or human service professionals, friends and/or other caregivers.
Trained volunteers will initially provide one-on-one visits with caregivers to discuss specific plans to connect them to appropriate community services, if appropriate, and follow-up on a regular basis. The caregivers relationship with the center remains as long as the caregiver wishes.
The impact of the service provided will be evaluated. The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy, on day one, began a commitment to evaluation of results and feedback leading to a cycle of continuous improvement.
If this is an initiative you connect with and want to support – thank you! You may donate to support the development of an endowment that will sustain the center for years to come. Volunteer opportunities will also be available – submit your interest to volunteer here and we will keep your information and follow-up with interested members of the community.
Chorus group of individuals with chronic conditions shines in first concert
A dream became a reality this week as a new Cedar Rapids-based chorus debuted to the public during its first concert.
The group performed its first concert to a crowd of about 150 at Mercy Medical Center Monday, performing songs reminiscent of another era such as “Yellow Submarine” and “Oh Shenandoah.” Read more from The Gazette, Nov. 20, 2018, or view a video from KCRG TV-9, Nov. 18, 2018.
Together In Song: New chorus makes unforgettable first impression at Mercy Medical Center
(The Gazette, Sept. 7, 2018)
For Dave Bryant, music is hard to forget.
Music has been a major part of Bryant’s life, and that passion has been amplified since the 80-year-old was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, a rare variant of Alzheimer’s disease, in 2012. Read more from The Gazette, Sept. 7, 2018.
When Tim Charles, president and chief executive officer of Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, called up Kathy Good in April 2014 to ask for her help on a new project, she jumped at the opportunity.
Good, a former caregiver herself, knew how desperately this proposed new service was needed. Read more from The Gazette article, June 20, 2015.
