The Grace Dementia Awareness Certification is an initiative to educate and certify churches in dementia awareness and engagement. The program equips churches to serve as dementia aware spaces, leveraging the Botes Memory Method Boquet (BMM) for comprehensive training. EDGE UMC will oversee the program, providing certifications, resources, and support. The program’s income supports Beyond 50 participants, caregivers, and church engagement efforts.

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Benefits of Botes Memory Method Relationship:

• Offer a faith-specific, customized curriculum for churches.

• Focus on spiritual engagement tools designed for dementia care.

• Provide sustained support through licensing, ensuring lasting impact.

• Empower churches as hubs of personalized, community-rooted care.

 

Objectives:

1. Educate Churches: Train and certify Florida Conference United Methodist Churches in dementia awareness and certify to be recognized by the community. 

2. Expand Reach: The long-term goal is to include United Methodist Churches (UMC) across the USA.

3. Support Caregivers: Generate funds to provide respite services and engagement subscriptions for caregivers Beyond 50.

4. Enhance Church Engagement: Create resources to re-engage people 50+ in active church participation.

 

Key Program Components:

1. Training and Certification:

• Initial Certification: Online Botes Memory Method (BMM) training for church leaders and members.

• Recertification: Biennial training updates to maintain certification.

2. Access to Grace Beyond 50:

• An online platform offering caregiving strategies and church engagement tools.

3. Ongoing Support:

• Quarterly training webinars.

• Resources for implementing dementia-friendly practices in churches.

4. Nominal Fee Structure:

• Fees to cover training, recertification, and access to online resources.

 

Income Utilization:

• Respite Services: Financial assistance for Beyond 50 participants requiring caregiving services through the Caregiving Network Services.

• Engagement Subscriptions: Subsidies for caregivers to access EDGE’s Gift engagement subscription resources

 

Implementation Steps:

1. Program Development:

• Finalize training modules and certification criteria with the Botes Memory Method team.

• Create the Grace Beyond 50 online platform.

2. Pilot Program:

• Launch the program with Florida Conference UMC.

• Gather feedback to refine the program.

3. Marketing and Outreach:

• Develop promotional materials targeting UMC leaders in Florida.

• Present at UMC conferences and events.

4. Scaling Nationwide:

• Expand certification outreach to UMC regions beyond Florida.

• Partner with UMC national leadership for endorsements.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Track certification numbers and participant feedback.

• Assess financial impact on respite and engagement support programs.

 

Unique Value Proposition:

• Combines faith-based engagement with dementia care expertise.

• Empowers churches to be community leaders in dementia support.

• Reinforces the mission of UMC to serve all generations, particularly the aging population.

 

Long-Term Goals:

1. Certify 80% of Florida UMCs in dementia awareness by 2026.

2. Expand certification to 50% of UMCs nationwide by 2030.

3. Ensure all Beyond 50 participants requesting respite and engagement support receive financial assistance.

 

This program not only strengthens church engagement but also builds a compassionate community for those impacted by dementia, supporting caregivers and enhancing church life for participants 50+.