“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57
What’s Happening Now
Adoption Group Playdates
The Adoption Support Group has some upcoming dates for families to mark on their calendars. They will meet on Tuesday, March 9 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Hat Creek in Woodway. Then on Saturday, March 13, they will have a Park Day from 2:00-4:00 pm at Poage Park. The Adoption Support Group exists to bring community and fellowship to families who have experienced adoption or are interested in pursuing adoption. Contact Marissa Smith LCSW MDiv, at msmith@mch.org or 817-874-3928 for more information.
GriefShare – 13 weeks | Wednesdays at 6:00 pm | Zoom only
Facilitator: Bob Harr, DMin
$15 covers the cost of the workbook
Start date: January 20
You are not alone in your grief. Please join us for a video seminar series that features some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery topics as seen from a Biblical perspective. The video seminars are combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video. For more details or to register for this class, please register on the griefshare website by clicking here: https://www.griefshare.org/groups/129787. You will need to either purchase a workbook online on the GriefShare webpage or stop by the church office and purchase one.
Re:generation Men’s Group – 10 month commitment | Sunday evenings 5:30 – 7:30 pm | MAC Parlor
Facilitator: Eric Upton
We all experience brokenness in life. At re:generation, we believe that anyone can experience new life and freedom by working through steps of healing given to us by God through the Bible. All who are tired, broken or hurting are invited to come find recovery in Jesus Christ.
Re:generation is 12-step discipleship through recovery. By working through these biblical steps within an authentic community, people have found freedom from substance abuse, codependency, pornography, eating disorders, depression, fear, control, emotional/physical abuse, same sex attraction, anger, obsessive thoughts and many other personal struggles.
We know that not everyone who comes to re:generation will enter understanding the Bible or believing in the God of the Bible. Re:generation is a safe place for anyone to honestly process questions and doubts. Our prayer is that you will find the same peace that we have found.
God loves you. He wants to heal you and has a plan for you. All are welcome. Sign up here. Starts January 24!
DivorceCare – 13 weeks | Mondays at 6:30 pm | Room 205
Facilitators: Leon and Jo Williams
Did you know that among all adults who have been married, one-third of them have experienced a divorce? And currently in the United States, half of all children will witness the ending of a parent’s marriage? This is the unfortunate reality of the world in which we live. If you are dealing with the pain of separation or divorce, I want to invite you to join us for the new DivorceCare program that will begin later this month. This 13-week structured class will be offered on Monday evenings and will be facilitated by Leon and Jo Williams. Through this class, you will find helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil as well as practical tools for decision-making. For more information, please contact Lisa Smyers at lsmyers@firstwoodway.org. Sign up here. Starts January 25!
Thrive – 7 weeks | POSTPONED UNTIL FALL 2021
Facilitator: Joe Padilla, co-founder and CEO of Grace Alliance
This class is designed to help you thrive mentally and emotionally. It integrates science and scripture to help you become mentally and emotionally more resilient. If you’ve experienced overwhelming stress, depression and anxiety (even diagnosed), this class is designed to give you both the insights and tools to help you to thrive in life.
Adoption Support Group | Dates/Time/Location: Varies
Moms’ Group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 9:30-10:30 am at Common Grounds Woodway.
The Adoption Support Group exists to bring community and fellowship to families who have experienced adoption or are interested in pursuing adoption. The members of the group gather throughout the year to fellowship with one another, learn from one another and support one another in their stories of adoption. This group is a joined effort of First Woodway and Methodist Children’s Home Family Outreach. Contact Marissa Smith LCSW MDiv, at msmith@mch.org or 817-874-3928 for interest and more information. Family events are publicized via the email list.
Dementia Support Group | Now on Thursdays!
We have a new Dementia Support Group for family members caring for their loved ones with dementia. This group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 5:30 in the Glass Room (near the Worship Center). We will cover dementia-specific topics including: grief/loss, self-care, communication and other content. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Smyers in the office or at lsmyers@firstwoodway.org.
Re:generation [Recovery in Christ when life is broken]
Re:generation is a biblically-based 12-step discipleship study for healing, recovery and freedom. The study involves a short gathering time, followed by separate small group sessions for men and women. We will meet online using Zoom until the time we are allowed to meet on campus. To learn more about re:generation, including video testimonials, check out the official re:generation website.
Porch Light
Porch Light is a small group ministry for the loved ones of those struggling with addictions. Whether a child, spouse, sibling, or parent: Porch Light is for any who are suffering along with their addicted love one. For more info, contact Lisa Smyers at lsmyers@firstwoodway.org or Brad Hyde at W5BK@live.com.
Caregivers Ministry
Our team strives to offer spiritual, educational, and family services tailored to meet the many challenges facing caregivers. We provide education and support to enrich the emotional health needs of our congregational and community. This site is designed to make you aware of, and make available to you, resources that may be beneficial. Since caregivers vary in many ways and “one size” does not fit all, we value your feedback in how we can better minister to you.
First Woodway Care Ministries
Seniors Care Ministry
Contact: Lisa Smyers
The Care Ministry is here to assist in caring for our church family. We help with navigating health care services, in home contact and visits, retirement facility worship services, relief for care givers, in home food delivery on Wednesday evenings, rides to the doctor or for errands, and minor home needs.
Also service opportunities exist for volunteers to visit homebound, local nursing homes, those in local hospitals, and to assist with Bible studies and worship experiences both on and off campus of our local retirement centers and nursing homes. No matter your age, if you desire to serve our homebound and or our senior adult residents, we have a place for you.
Please contact Lisa Smyers at lsmyers@firstwoodway.org or call him at 254.772.9696 for learn about more ways to get involved or if you know of someone in need of this ministry.
Wednesday Night Saints
Contact: Ken & Wanda Glaze (or call 254.666.8276)
Each Wednesday night during the school year, we have individuals who deliver warm meals to our homebound families as well as other families who have a need in our church family.
Our Second Family
Contact: Lisa Smyers
This ministry is for families with special needs loved ones as well as older adults who need help with day to day activities.
Helping Hands provides ministry for persons with disabilities (babies through adulthood) and their families. It is our desire that people affected by disabilities and their families come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as God showed His great love and compassion, we want to follow our Lord’s example in reaching out to people who have disabilities. Click here to learn more about Helping Hands.
Senior Care Resources
Independent living is housing arrangements that are usually specific to people age 55 and older. Housing styles vary from apartment styles to freestanding homes. Independent living is designed specifically to assist senior adults in keeping their independence. Usually independent living is more compact and provides easier navigation than regular homes. Independent living includes retirement communities, retirement homes, senior communities, and senior homes. Independent living is appropriate for older adults who are independent in their activities of daily living, but may need assistance with yard management, etc.
Independent Living may be right for you if:
• You need minor assistance with activities of daily living
• You want a home that does not require a lot of maintenance and upkeep
• You like the idea of being able to socialize and do activities with other senior adults
Resources in Waco
Brookdale Senior Living
3801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 254-714-2222
Lakeshore Estates
3209 Village Green Drive, 254-870-8738
Stilwell Retirement Residence
5400 Laurel Lake Drive, 254-772-4644
Ascension Living Providence Village
300 W. Highway 6, 254-761-8500
Cottages of Oak Springs
1900 Woodgate Drive, 254-666-2636
Ridgecrest Retirement & Health
1900 W. Highway 6, 254-776-9681
Assisted Living is for those who may need help with some activities of daily living. Assisted living includes residential care, board and care, and group homes. Some assisted living facilities provide help with medication management, and many have a common area for dining and recreational activities. Staff is available 24/7.
Assisted Living may be right for you if:
• You need more personal care than can be given at home or an independent living facility
• You do not need round-the-clock medical care and supervision
Resources in Waco
Brookdale Lakeshore
1700 Lakeshore Drive, 254-754-7900
Brookdale Senior Living
3801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 254-714-2222
Ridgecrest Retirement & Health
1900 W Highway 6, 254-776-9681
Saint Elizabeth Place
300 W Highway 6, 254-761-8500
Stoney Brook of Hewitt
151 Royal Lane in Hewitt, 254-265-9275
Nursing Homes provide the highest level of care outside of a hospital. Unlike assisted living facilities, nursing homes provide both assistance with activities of daily living and a high level of medical care. A licensed physician monitors each resident’s care and nursing staff is always available.
A nursing home may be right for you if:
• You have both personal and medical needs that can not be met at home or at another facility due to a recent hospitalization or chronic illness
• You need a high level of care temporarily after a hospitalization and plan to return home or to another facility
Resources in Waco
Waco Healthcare & Rehabilitation
1400 Lake Shore Drive, 254-753-0291
Greenview Manor
401 Owen Lane, 254-772-8900
Jeffrey Place Healthcare Center
820 Jeffrey Street, 254-772-9480
Lakeshore Village Healthcare
2320 Lake Shore Drive, 254-752-1075
Quality Care of Waco
2501 Maple Avenue, 254-752-0311
Regent Care Center
7801 Woodway Drive, 254-235-7801
Ridgecrest Retirement & Health
1900 Hwy 6 West, 254-776-9681
Royal Manor
9114 Royal Lane, 254-666-2164
St. Catherine Center at Providence Park
300 W. Highway 6, 254-761-8500
Texan Nursing and Rehab
5900 Clover Lane, 254-772-0610
The Courtyard at Hewitt
8836 Mars Drive, 254-420-5500
West Rest Haven
503 Meadow Dr., West, Tx, 254-826-5354
Westview Manor of McGregor
414 Johnson Drive, 254-840-3281
Woodland Springs Nursing Center
1010 Dallas Street, 254-752-9774
The purpose of home health care is to help you remain at home for as long as possible rather than having to move to a long-term care for facility. Home health care agencies range in the type of care they provide including companionship, medication management, cleaning, assistance with personal care, and more complex medical care.
Home Health Care may be right for you if:
• You need minimal assistance with activities of daily living
• You have a close network of friends and family nearby
Resources in Waco
ABC Home Health Care
3115 Bellmead Drive, 254-867-1181
Amedisys Home Health of Waco
7003 Woodway Dr. Suite #313, 254-399-6422
Bluebonnet Home Care
720 N 64th St., 254-772-5577
Comfort Keepers of Waco
6501 Sanger Avenue, Suite 275 B, 254-523-4234
Heights Home Health
3425 Hillcrest Drive, 254-753-0431
Hillcrest Home Health Services
7503 Bosque Blvd, 254-755-6179
Home Instead Senior Care
511 N. Hewitt Drive Suite 3, 254-935-3793
Interim Health Care
7401 Woodway Dr,, 254-892-4369
Providence Home Care
301 Owen Ln, 254-523-6970
Reliable Home Health Services
6312 Cobbs Dr, 254-772-1025
Texas Home Health Skilled Services
7503 Bosque Blvd
254-755-6179 – Skilled Home Health Care
254-741-1326 – Personal Care/Private Pay
Visiting Angels
1514 Auston Ave, 254-772-8660
Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment and focuses on quality rather than quantity of life. The patient and family are both included in a care plan that strives to meet the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Hospice affirms life and acknowledges dying as a normal process. For more information on hospice go to www.hospicenet.org
Resources in Waco
Bluebonnet Hospice
307 Londonderry Drive, 254-751-1790
Hillcrest Community Hospice
2911 Herring Ave, Ste 310, 254-202-5150
Community Healthcare of Texas
6700 Sanger Ave, 254-399-9099
Texas Home Health Hospice
8300 Central Park Dr A, 254-756-0404
Kindred Hospice
8005 Bagby Ave, 254-399-0963
Respite Care refers to a short time of rest or relief. It provides a break from the typical care routine and allows the caregiver to have a chance to rest and relax. Click here for more information on respite care.
Resources in Waco
Adult Day Care of Waco
323 N. 29th St. Waco, 254-714-2274
Friends For Life Adult Day Care
5000 Lakewood Dr. Waco, 254-772-7600
Ridgecrest Retirement & Health Care
1900 W. Hwy 6 Waco, 254-776-9681
St. Catherine Center at Providence Park
300 W. Hwy 6 Waco, 254-761-8500
Sunny Day Center
2714 Old Dallas Rd. Waco, 254-799-1099
Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a range of diseases impacting cognitive ability. The most common of these dementias is Alzheimer’s Disease. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a very difficult and scary thing if the caregiver is not knowledgeable about the dementia, what to expect, and the impact that dementia can have on their loved ones and family. This webpage is designed to help you become familiar with the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, and provide resources in the community.
The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
1. Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life
Forgetting recently learned information, forgetting important dates and events, asking for the same information over and over again, and relying on memory aides or family members for things they used to handle on their own, are all signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. Typical age-related change: Forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty developing or following a plan and working with numbers. A person may experience difficulty in following a familiar recipe, or keeping track of their budget. It also may take them longer to do tasks than before. Typical age-related change: Making an occassional error when balancing a checkbook.
3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
Sometimes people with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty remembering familiar tasks. They may have difficulting with remembering the rules of a game, driving to a familiar place, managing a budget, or remembering how to cook a favorite food. Typical age-related change: Occasionally needing help with tasks such as recording a tv show or using appliances.
4. Confusion with Time or Place
Sometimes people with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty remembering what season it is, where they are, or how they got somewhere. They may have difficulty with the passage of time and remembering specific dates. Typical age-related change: Forgetting what day of the week it is, but remembering it later.
5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
People with Alzheimer’s disease may experience vision problems. These may include having difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color. They also may not recognize themselves when they pass a mirror. Typical age-related change: Having changes in vision due to cataracts.
6. New Difficulties with Words in Speaking or Writing
People with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty joining a conversation or continuing one. They may begin to speak and forget what they were saying or repeat themselves. They may have difficulty with vocabulary and have trouble finding the right word, or call something by the wrong name. Typical age-related change: Sometimes having difficulty finding the right word.
7. Misplacing Things and Being Unable to Retrace their Steps
Sometimes a person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in the wrong place and have difficulty remembering where they put it. They may have difficulty in retracing their steps or accuse someone of stealing their missing item. Typical age-related change: Occasionaly misplacing things such as glasses or dentures.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgment
People with Alzheimer’s disease may have decreased or poor judgment such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers. They also may pay less attention to things such as their personal hygiene. Typical age-related change: Making a poor decision once in a while.
9. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may remove themselves from favorite activities or hobbies. They may have difficulty remembering their favorite sports team or remembering how to complete their favorite hobby. They may avoid being social due to the changes they are experiencing. Typical age-related change: Sometimes feeling weary of work, social, and family obligations.
10. Changes in Mood and Personality
Sometimes a change in mood will be noticed with people who have Alzheimer’s disease. They may feel confused, anxious, depressed, angry, suspicious, or fearful. They may become easily upset when they are in situations out of their comfort zone. Typical age-related change: Developing specific ways of doing things and become irritated when their routine is changed.
Dementia Resources
Palliative Dementia Care Resources
Waco Housing Options
Sodalis Memory Care
4308 N 19th St.
Waco, TX 76708
254-752-1008
Wesley Woods Alzheimer’s Care
1700 Woodgate Dr.
Waco, TX 76712
254-666-5454
Brookdale Senior Living
3801 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Waco, TX 76708
254-714-2222
Check out these resources provided through Conversation Project helping to guide the conversation when talking about end of life including terminal illness, heart disease, and more.
Self Care
Caring for a loved one not only impacts the one receiving care, but it also can affect the caregiver both physically and mentally. “Caregiver burnout” consists of three major components which include emotional exhaustion, decreased feelings of personal achievement, and increased detchachment toward the one receiving care (Maslach, 2003). In order for “caregiver burnout” to be prevented, it is essential that the caregiver takes time to care for themself! Self-care will not only have a positive impact on the caregiver, but will also allow the caregiver to be effective in caring for their loved one.
Learn as much as you can about your family member’s illness so that you can be the best caregiver that you can be. Knowledge is power and the more you know, the more effective you will be as a caregiver.
Know your limits. Be realistic about how much time and energy you can invest in being a caregiver. Set your limits and clearly communicate your limits with your family members, doctors, and others who are involved.
Accept your feelings. Caregiving can trigger a wide variety of emotions including resentment, fear, guilt, anger, sadness, and helplessness. As long as you don’t compromise the well-being of the receiver, allow yourself to feel what you feel.
Confide in others. Talk to others about what you feel and what you are going through. Lean on your friends, family, and your church and join a support group so that you do not feel like you are going through this journey alone.
All information was provided by helpguide.org.
1. Caregiving is a job, and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often.
2. Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.
3. When people offer to help, accept their help and suggest specific things that they can do.
4. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition and how to communicate effectively with doctors.
5. There’s a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
6. Trust your instincts. Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction.
7. Caregivers often do a lot of pulling, pushing, and lifting. Be good to your back.
8. Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
9. Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.
10. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.
Source: www.thefamilycaregiver.org