What is life, but just a journey, if we don’t share it with others, love them well in the process, and turn life’s difficulties into blessings? This is what Cathy and Gerard Benner set out to do after Cathy’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007. Cathy’s dad and also husband of 50 plus years to her mother was suddenly placed into a caregiving position that was totally unfamiliar to h
im. Caregiving for someone dependent on you is a 24/7/365 responsibility, and it isn't long until you find that it isn’t a one person job. It takes a team of loving, compassionate and caring people walking alongside, providing the main caregiver support, encouragement, and rest. Many times the loved one needing care will not need the full medical care provided in a traditional nursing home setting. Family ties or even finances may be such that the best care is to keep that family member home. Yet, life continues and the need for extending that family of care is necessary. Joyful Journey, a not for profit 501(c)3 agency, located in West Lafayette, IN has been established so that West Lafayette/Lafayette and surrounding community families have an option when it comes to compassionate care for their loved one who is unable to stay home alone during the day, yet still desires to be close to their family. Joyful Journey is a home away from home atmosphere where families can rest assured their loved one is being safely cared for during the day in an enriching, engaging and compassionate home environment. Friends will experience joy in their day, purpose in their life, and a journey worth living. Caregivers can expect that same compassionate care and understanding, giving them opportunity to work, rest, rejuvenate, and the feeling they are not going through this journey alone. Joyful Journey exists to create meaningful moments, activities and purposeful days for each Friend and family we serve. We build relationships around trust, integrity, dignity, and willing hearts, putting others first in a way that strengthens families and our entire community.
