(Seguin) — A new initiative is working to provide care for all the caregivers in this community. The Caregiver Cafe hosting its very first meeting this morning. It’s a joint effrt between GRMC, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church and Emanuel’s Lutheran Church.
Pam Sagebiel, of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, is helping to coordinate the Caregiver Cafe. She says the Caregiver Cafe is really designed to provide support for anyone who provides care for someone else. She says they’ve been discussing this idea for some time, and now they are officially ready to launch their very first meeting.
“We started talking and gathering resources and gathering people. We decided to do a joint ministry with Emanuels and Spirit of Joy to offer…the Caregiver Cafe. We wanted something that didn’t…turn people off, like a support group or whatever. I know that it’s a support group people, but it’s hard for people to get over the name of that, and it may make it a little standoffish. But we thought Caregiver Cafe (would allow us) to invite people over for a cup of coffee and some refreshments and (then) just chat,” said Sagebiel.
Gina Touchstone is a yoga and mindfulness instructor and she will be working with those who show up for the Caregiver Cafe. Sagebiel says they’ll be providing some tips on how caregivers can take care of themselves, while they are giving so much to someone else. Sagebiel says yoga and mindfulness tips are just one part of the Caregiver Cafe. Ultimately, she says it will be much more than that.
“It has evolved into bringing in guest speakers. One branch of this is why Gina is here. She is very good with relaxation and stress-relieving techniques. So, she’s going to be providing some meditation and relaxation for the caregivers, because we know that’s something they probably desperately need. They can learn to use these on their own, whether they’re in the caregiver setting or just away trying to get some sleep at night,” said Sagebiel.
Touchstone says you don’t have to any experience with these yoga or mindfulness techniques to benefit. She says they simply want to offer some suggestions on how provide better care for yourself, which will utlimately helps you better care for others.
“I just want them to know that we’re offering a safe place for them to come and just let it out. If they have anxieties or any kind of tension and need to talk to somebody in the same situation, we’re there (for them). It’s not going to go anywhere — everything (said) stays there. We just have that safe place for them to come and be cared about. Let us care for them, like they’re caring for someone that they love,” said Touchstone.
Donna Simmons is the Bereavement Care Coordinator for Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, and she says it’s important for people to come whether they consider themselves a caregiver or not. She says the Caregiver Cafe could be beneficial to just about anyone who spends time helping others.
“Well, I hope they’ll really think about it and think about whether they are a caregiver or not? There are many people out there that don’t even realize they’re in that caregiving mode, and they are. I’d like them to come and get together with us. Come to Spirit of Joy and Emanuel’s – Spirit of Joy on February 1st and Emanuel’s on February 18th. Come and try it. Don’t just stay away because you’re not sure. Come and try it and be with us. And like Gina said, we’re there to help you, and to help you get through this hard period of your life,” said Simmons.
You don’t need to be involved with the churches or the hospital, and there’s no membership necessary for you to join each session. Sagebiel says the most important thing is for you to just stop by this morning, or at one of the future dates and see what the Caregivers Cafe is all about.
“Come and try it. If you don’t like it, hey, that’s fine — you don’t need to come back, but you will get a free cup of coffee out of it. I really do appreciate what Gina said. We’re there to care for you. You take time out from whatever you’re doing, sit and relax, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and we’ll care for you,” said Sagebiel.
The very first Caregiver Cafe will be held at 9 a.m. today (Thursday) at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, which is located near the corner of Dolle Avenue and Medlin Street in the old Juan Seguin school. It will be held today and every first Thursday of the month at SOJ. It will move to the afternoons on the third Sunday of each month and be held at Emanuel’s Lutheran Church. The first meeting at Emanuel’s will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 18 at the church, located on Travis Street in downtown Seguin. These are informal gatherings. Coffee and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 830-272-0040, ext. 104.