By Byllye Y. Avery, M.Ed.
“Positive people in our lives make life worthwhile. Surround yourself with positive people whose energy is empowering, full of growth and support. These people are a village of support, making life easier and more fulfilling. They help us make it through the hard times and celebrate the good times.”*
As a caregiver, you may draw your strength each day from your family and friends. Remember, too, another “village of support”—your church, synagogue, mosque and other faith-based group—to help you manage caregiving challenges and provide you with compassionate respite and support. Churches and faith-based organizations have a sense of community and desire to be at the heart of many neighborhoods, making them a valuable resource on which many caregivers depend.
Connecting Faith with Wellness
Research shows there’s a positive connection between health and spiritual well-being; likewise, the sociability of faith connects people and greater wellness can result. The church plays a significant, influential role in African American health because of its ability to reach and connect with not only its members, but also the entire community and its resources.
To find caregiving resources in your community, you may not need to look any further than your own faith-based group. As a member of a church or another faith-based group, talk with others there about experiences they’ve had in obtaining caregiving services. Also, many times there are health ministries within your church that offer counsel and support. Ask about any parishioners who volunteer their time to provide respite support for caregivers.
Now, if you’re not currently associated with a particular faith or place of worship, talk to friends and other caregivers to learn about any faith-based organizations providing the specific type of services you need. For example, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created “Faith in Action” to help serve people needing home-based care. Their programs rely on community resources and coalitions of faith-based organizations. More than 1,000 of these volunteer programs are supported by diverse religious congregations.
Evaluating Faith-Based Resources
If you’ve just started caring for a family member or a friend and are looking for a specific type of service, consider reaching out and connecting with others to learn if your church and other faith-based groups in your community can help you with:
- Respite care
- Day programs for the elderly
- Counseling and emotional support
- Educational materials or tools on different aspects of caregiving
- Managing finances and preparing taxes
- Volunteers who can help run errands or provide rides for your loved one to the doctor’s office
- Referrals for caregiving services
- Spiritual counsel and support
Additional Faith-Based Caregiving Resources
For more information on caregiving resources from faith-based organizations contact:
- State and local area agencies
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, (877) 696-6775 or www.hhs.gov/fbci
- U.S. Department of Labor, Faith-Based and Community Organization Outreach Guide
Reference: “An Altar of Words,” by Byllye Avery. © 1998 Broadway Books, New York.
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