Home Under the Dome Respite Ministry has a mission to enhance the lives of adults with memory loss through socially engaging activities while providing resources and support for care partners. A ministry of First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, anyone who is ambulatory, can take care of their own bathroom needs and is able to feed themselves is eligible to attend.
The group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A full lunch is provided.
“A small fee is recommended, however at Home Under the Dome no one is turned away based on their ability to pay,” says retired teacher Andy Gunkel, co-director with his wife Pam.
“Time spent at Home Under the Dome provides participants—our friends—a safe and socially connected environment while allowing caregivers the opportunity for personal time to rest and address their own needs.”
Home Under the Dome is a social ministry and no medical care is provided. It’s open to all denominations and members of the community affected by memory loss. The day begins with a devotional, music, coffee and conversation.
The ministry has around 20 volunteers who have undergone a training session developed by the Respite for All Foundation in Montgomery, Alabama.
Jan Anderson is one of those volunteers. “Before they passed away, my parents suffered from some dementia. I saw how hard memory loss was for them and those who cared for and loved them,” she says. “The first time I went to Home Under the Dome I wanted to find out what it would be like for the people with memory loss to be there. Each volunteer did what needed to be done to engage every person. The caring, loving atmosphere showed people they mattered and were loved.”
Another volunteer, Richard Douglass says when asked about Home Under the Dome, three words come to mind: love, care and fun. “We have fun like we were back in grade school, playing games, trivia, contests and the fan favorite, balloon volleyball. Each friend is given the utmost care from the moment they arrive until they leave at the end of the session.”
