The Gathering (group respite)

(Note: all sites for The Gathering have short waiting lists, as of June 2024. Contact us to learn more).

A stimulating in-person program for people living with memory loss that provides four hours of respite for their family caregivers.

The Gathering is a group respite program that provides four hours of brain-stimulating activities and social engagement to adults experiencing early- to mid-stage memory loss, allowing their family members and/or friends to take a much-needed break from caregiving.  The program is led by Lyngblomsten staff with support from a team of volunteers—including teaching artists—who are specially trained to understand the distinctive needs of people experiencing memory loss.

• Sessions of The Gathering are held from 10 AM to 2 PM weekly.  The sites where The Gathering is offered are:  the Lyngblomsten campus in St. Paul and Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes.
• Participants attend the same session each week, forming a cohort.  This allows them and their care partners to develop relationships and a support network with others in their cohort.
• During a session of The Gathering, participants, volunteers, and staff enjoy activities that promote overall brain health and build connections, friendships, and community.  Examples include music; games; exercise; discussion groups; activities led by teaching artists that integrate art history and poetry; guest speakers; and more!
• Caregivers have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with a Lyngblomsten Caregiver Specialist for resources and support and to participate in a weekly online Caregiver Connect Group.

Read an article in the March edition of MN Women's Press about The Gathering. Click here to read it online.

For more information:

Contact Lyngblomsten Community Services at 651.632.5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

Click here to learn more about The Gathering.

Click here to learn more about volunteering with The Gathering.

The Gathering is funded, in part, by an award from the Brookdale Foundation Group and by gifts made to the Lyngblomsten Foundation.