Newly formed Anchor Place Respite Care, a twice-a-week program that hosts in its community space older adults living with mild-to-moderate memory issues, is looking to expand its offerings, with the help of the Dunwoody community.
Rotary of Dunwoody has named Anchor Place, as one of its beneficiaries through the Rotary Club, in their upcoming Fore the Memories Golf Tournament to be held Monday, May 19.
Charlie Augello, the founder of the popular East 48th Street Market, is co-chairing the event. Discover Dunwoody is a platinum level sponsor.
Participants at Anchor Place, which is housed in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church on North Peachtree Road, enjoy a range of stimulating activities, including music, art, cognitive stimulation, games, service projects, gentle movement, a shared meal, prayer, and conversation, according to its director Mary Cohen.
A group of about 40 volunteers, led by Anchor Place staff members, offer a respite to caregivers, as well as a creative outlet for participants. The program began in May 2024 and quickly reached its capacity, with a growing waiting list. The $55-per-day fee covers the activities and lunch.
“We want people to know that a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean the end of building relationships,” Cohen said. “And it provides their caregivers the break that they so desperately need.”
Erin Smith, whose mother, Anne Hall, started attending Anchor Place soon after it opened, said the program “is a blessing for our family.”
“After our father passed away, we realized that our mom was not capable of living in assisted housing because of her dementia diagnosis,” Smith said. “But she needed activity and community.”
Hall. 89, was nervous when she arrived for her first day, but Smith said she became instantly comfortable with the staff, volunteers and other attendees.
“Now every time I pick her up, she’s singing, smiling and laughing,” Smith said. “I only wish families in this situation had more opportunities like Anchor Place.”
Cohen said the next natural step would be expanding its programming, and she hopes fundraisers like the upcoming golf tournament will help make that vision a reality.
“We are actively discerning the next steps for growth,” Cohen said.
Those plans involve offering a caregiver support group, in addition to providing resources to navigate the many needs a diagnosis of memory loss or other cognitive impairment can bring with it.
“This program is an absolute joy to be a part of,” Cohen said. “We have been so blessed.”
