ORANGE PARK – In a post-COVID-19 world where isolation and mental health have shown increasing signs of concern for older people, Home Instead of Orange Park stands as a shining example of how a home care agency can go above and beyond for not only its clients.

Not only does the local care business that has been providing warmhearted and personalized services to seniors in the community offer personalized care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Hospice Support, Chronic Illness Care and more, including companionship, but their community outreach is outstanding.

The nationally recognized provider that has served the county for 26 years will soon roll out two new monthly programs at no cost to the community.

First, Home Instead will offer a workshop for family caregivers called “Maintain Your Brain Health.” Looking after brain and mental health is just as important as physical health, and making healthy eating decisions and getting proper exercise can positively impact memory and help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.

The workshop will offer education on six critical areas of brain health, insights into the importance of brain health throughout life, the impact of caregiving on brain health, the signs of cognitive decline and when to act.

“This is how you can take time for yourself. Don’t forget about you. This is brain health; realize that. Unless you have a proper diet and sleep, how will you take care of your mother or grandmother?” said Kathyrn Legat-German, a Home Care Consultant for Home Instead.

“Maintain Your Brain Health” will be on Thursday, Sept. 14. from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Seagrass Village of Fleming Island. Legat-German said the program plans to expand to more assisted living locations in the county.

“This is catching on like fire,” she said.

Additionally, Home Instead will partner with Asbury United Methodist Church to put on a Caregiver Support group for families with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, where residents can share their stories, experiences, ideas and tips. Legat-German said while the Support Group hasn’t held a meeting yet, it has already created a powerful impact.

“We’ve had local nurses, doctors, and people in the health care industry ‘freak out,’ because hardly any of these programs exist in the community. This is all free. It is not a way to push our services. This has nothing to do with us. We want to open the dialogue. It’s almost like an (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting. This is a true support group,” she said.

The first session will be at the church on Sept. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will continue on the third Tuesday of each month.

Home Instead is focused on Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness, and the free program should provide a guiding light to the community, which will provide invaluable support and resources for those facing the unique challenges of caring for loved ones, especially in an environment where family members don’t know where to turn for help.

“(People) who utilize this program can say, ‘I’m going through this, and I’m not alone. If something happens to your (grandmother or grandfather) everyone in the family wants to chip in, but sometimes it’s tough because you don’t want to go out and hire a service or put them in an assisted living facility, but you do want to (improve their quality of life),” she said.

With September being World Alzheimer’s Month, the timing of the support group meetings is especially important.

Home Instead already supports other programs like “Home Instead Honoring Our Veterans Program,” in partnership with Haven Hospice, which provides a helping hand by dedicated volunteers.

The group also will host events at assisted living locations during the week of Veterans Day. The holiday, which honors those who’ve served in the military, is Saturday, Nov. 11.

“It’s all about caring. It’s all about passion. It burns within us,” Legat-German said.