GULF SHORES — DayBreak Senior Daycare recently held a dedication ceremony to celebrate the opening of DayBreak Park in Gulf Shores. 

The dedication ceremony was attended by more than 30 sponsors, friends, volunteers and participants.  The park was made possible by generous gifts from the Erie Meyer and George Meyer foundations.

DayBreak participants, whether being cared for by their full-time caregiver or at the DayBreak facility, rarely get to enjoy being outside in the fresh air. But now DayBreak Park provides a safe, open-air setting immediately adjacent to the senior daycare facility. 

DayBreak is a non-profit community outreach program and is an integral part of the Servant Ministries of Gulf Shores United Methodist Church.  It is available to every older adult in the area and is located on the south campus. DayBreak provides a safe, loving environment where individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are encouraged to participate in playing games, building crafts, exercising, singing and social interaction. 

The ministry provides our participants’ caregiver with short-term relief from the unrelenting demands of care giving by providing time out to grocery shop, attend support groups, visit with friends or family and to maintain contact with the outside world. DayBreak opened its doors in June 2009, as a once-a-week program and has since expanded to Monday and Wednesday of each week from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

All daycare participants must be pre-registered. The program is not designed to provide medical or counseling services but to provide support for the caregivers and their loved ones. The cost is $20 per visit, which includes a hot lunch. 

For more information, contact Dolly Crewes at 251-968-3634 (dollycrewes@gmail.com) or Amelia Fletcher at 251-968-2549 (amelia@gulfshoresumc.org).