CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – When you think about someone who is a faithful friend, it means so much because you know you can count on them and they are there for you. That is the feeling that led to a new group to help those suffering from dementia.
For more than five years, McClain Maiolo worked as a nurse practitioner serving patients with dementia. She saw a need in the community to do more for those suffering with the disease, and to support their caregivers, so the group Faithful Friends Dementia Care was born.
Maiolo said one of the things that makes Faithful Friends unique is they have a one-to-one ratio for a friend and a volunteer. “You’re not going to find that anywhere else. It really helps keep the friends engaged, so it’s amazing what it has done for our people,” Maiolo said.
The volunteers sit next to their friends being served by the program and do everything alongside them. It is a relationship-based approach that has worked out well for dementia care, she said.
The program takes place two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, for four hours each day, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Right now, they have 10 friends that are part of the program, which can take up to 14, so they are looking for more friends to join.
What is dementia?
Maiolo said dementia is the umbrella term for several diseases, with Alzheimer’s being the most common. Dementia is more than just memory loss – it changes everything.
“One of the most alarming things is the number of people with dementia in the United States is supposed to double in 25 years. That’s why we need to be doing things like this before it becomes more of a problem,” Maiolo said.
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Each day. the group does cognitive stimulation activities catered to both mild and moderate levels of dementia. They enjoy lunch, do exercises in their chairs, play balloon volleyball, and listen to music that reminds them of their younger years and another time. That socialization with a stimulating environment helps to reduce anxiety and depression.
For Maiolo, it’s a mission rooted in her faith. “You can still have joy living with dementia because of Jesus. The whole point of our program is that we want to help these people in a way that shows Jesus to them,” she said.
What’s next for Faithful Friends
Even though the program has been going for only a short time, they have seen a huge change in their friends. Caregivers are also getting time back for themselves, which they desperately need.
Looking ahead, Maiolo said caregiving for someone with dementia is exhausting and they plan to begin a caregivers support group in 2026 that will meet at Real Life Church to help them have their own community.
To learn more about Faithful Friends Dementia Care, visit faithfulfriendsdementia.org where you can find links to donate, volunteer or sign up a participant. You can also email faithfulfriendsdementiacare@gmail.com, or call McClain Maiolo at 931-220-3396.
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