Karen Koenig's Colleagues at Old Friends Club
Karen Koenig's Contact Details
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Greater Seattle Area
Old Friends Club
Karen Koenig's Company Details
Old Friends Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit promoting social engagement for people living with Alzheimer's, stroke or other cognitive challenges, and a healthy break for family caregivers. The programs improve quality of life for both the person with a diagnosis and their family caregivers.It's common for both the person with cognitive impairment and their family caregiver to become isolated which can lead to depression, apathy, and a faster decline. It doesn't have to be this way. The Club makes it possible for people living with Alzheimer's, stroke, Parkinson's or other dementia to be active socially, cognitively and physically. Each program is led by two experienced staff members, together with trained volunteers, who create an environment of trust, respect, joy, and friendship. Our staff plan and facilitate activities to promote conversation, artistic expression, friendly competition, physical activity, and uniting laughter. Each Club has countless stories of people revealing how alive they are: a poem of gratitude for a favorite volunteer; a spontaneous dance session because the music invited it; a story that flows out even when words don't always come easily. Successes like these happen every day.Caregivers find time to rest and care for themselves while their loved one is with people they trust. With ongoing support, education and resources, we help them navigate challenges and plan for changing needs so they can be resilient and thrive throughout their caregiving journey.Old Friends Club is the only social-model, dementia-focused, community-based program in King County that is designed to be replicated. Our vision is to open Clubs in communities throughout King County and beyond. As we grow, we will intentionally seek to serve those with the greatest need including people of color, our LGBT neighbors, veterans, rural communities, and low-income neighborhoods. Respite programs now in Carnation, Kirkland and Sammamish, and soon in Bellevue.