Exhale Program

Exhale: A Gathering Place

Creating space for caregivers to exhale and be empowered.

Caregivers are family members or friends who typically provide unpaid, long-term, community-based care and assistance to older adults and people with chronic health conditions or disabilities.

Caregivers help with a variety of routine tasks such as shopping, paying bills, bathing, dressing, and managing medications. They are often a source of emotional support and companionship for care recipients.

The CDC acknowledges that caregiving is a health concern, with 1 in 7 caregivers developing coronary heart disease and/or a stroke, increasing to 1 in 5 for caregivers aged 65 and up. Furthermore, a recent study conducted by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers indicated that nearly 2 in 10 employed caregivers had to stop working, while 4 in 10 had to reduce their working hours to care for a loved one.

Program Details

In an effort to support caregivers, five community-based organizations in WNY have come together to increase access and support for caregivers and their loved ones. Buffalo Federation Neighborhood Centers, Compeer, Schiller Park Senior Center, Erie County Department of Senior Services, Clinical Healthcare Management Services and Hearts & Hands are collaborating with a region wide Exhale Initiative to increase access to services for caregivers.

We are offering a unique opportunity for caregivers and their loved ones to attend a 4-hour program of planned activities, plus nutrition and support networking. The program is designed to provide fun and uplifting activities for the care recipient to enjoy, while the caregiver participates in a separate program that will provide them with a break, build their support network, and empower them with additional tools for caregiving.

Volunteer At Exhale

Hearts & Hands is looking for volunteers to provide support to care recipients in the program and help the team ensure their needs are met. What would you do as a volunteer?

  • Spend time and socialize with an older adult guest (participant)
  • Participate in arts and crafts and other projects together
  • Enjoy a free lunch with the group
  • Ensure guest safely navigates to restrooms, and other spaces within the building
  • Assist with serving lunch and/or cleanup

How To Join Exhale

Are you a caregiver and want to learn more? Contact one of our Gathering Places below:

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers
(716) 854-3850

45 Jewett Avenue, Suite 250
Buffalo, NY 14214

Compeer
(716) 883-3331

1179 Kenmore Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14217

Schiller Park Senior Center
(716) 895-2727

2057 Genesee St.
Buffalo, NY 14211

Family caregivers are essential to many older adults living in the community who need extra support and compassion. This program is being generously funded with philanthropic dollars and technical support through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Exhale is managed by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) with support from Teresa Lawrence (International Deliverables).

Copyright ©2022 Hearts & Hands All rights reserved. Site design by OtherWisz Creative.