Scene Heard: Making new friends at Old Friends Club

Last month, Vashon Care Network joyously celebrated the launch of its Old Friends Club — a once a week daytime program for adults with dementia and cognitive decline.

By Elizabeth Shepherd • October 1, 2025 5:17 pm

Last month, Vashon Care Network joyously celebrated the launch of its Old Friends Club — a once a week daytime program for adults with dementia and cognitive decline.

The weekly program, housed in Vashon Presbyterian Church, welcomes these adults as members, offering social activities, exercise, friendship and a meal from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. While members enjoy the club activities, their full-time caregivers get much needed respite.

On Sept. 17, the church’s narthex was buzzing with energy as volunteers and the program’s co-directors, Monica Mann and Nancy Schoenberg, greeted members and volunteers. Smiles beamed as folks chatted and settled in to create name tags — the club’s first activity.

Both Mann and Choenberg bring years of experience as elder caregivers and activity directors to their work with the club.

Mann described the club as a safe and joyous environment where seniors can socialize and meet new people. This time to be social is especially beneficial to those with dementia, who tend to become withdrawn, Mann said.

“This is a program that benefits everybody,” Mann said. “Our folks here have something to look forward to each week and still feel like they’re part of their community — and that is absolutely great.”

One new member of the club, Wanda, confirmed that feeling with a broad smile on Sept. 17. “I was so excited about this, I couldn’t sleep last night,” she said.

The program’s cost is $400 per month, which is less than half the cost of typical in-home care, according to Vashon Care Network’s website page about the program.

Financial assistance may be available. Currently, the program has nine members, with openings for three more.

Find out more at vashoncarenetwork.org/respite-program. To volunteer, ask questions or inquire about membership, contact Carol Spangler at 2060 708-3153 or carolspangler80@gmail.com. To read more about the mission of the club, read this Beachcomber commentary by Spranger, published in April.