Friends For Life

About Us

Friends for Life is a 501(c)(3) charity that was founded in Waco, Texas in September of 1989 to improve the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities particularly those who are without family to care for them.

Mission Statement

Friends for Life helps the elderly and people with disabilities live independently as long as possible, protects and cares for those who are unable to care for themselves and brings generations together to enrich lives.

Areas of Service

Friends for Life serves the elderly and people with disabilities through five different program areas:

• Guardianship
• Money Management
• Independent Living and Quality of Life Programs
• Intergenerational Programs
• Adult Day Care

Adult Day Care

In June 2000, Friends for Life took over an adult day care program in Waco, Texas that was scheduled to close.  This center is open from 7:30AM to 6PM, Monday through Friday and provides nursing care, meals, transportation, activities, social interaction, exercise programs and more.

Friends for Life operates an Adult Day Care Center located at  5000 Lakewood in Waco, Texas in the Meyer Family Intergenerational Center.

This Center provides a safe environment for frail elderly and persons with disabilities that includes nursing care, personal care, meals, transportation, and a fun and interesting activity schedule.

Wednesdays there’s bingo.  Domino tournaments and music entertainment alternate with movies and popcorn.  Birthdays are celebrated, of course, complete with cake and ice cream.  Arts & crafts projects, sing-a-longs, exercise and visits from wonderful guests. (ie: Waco Fire Department, the Cameron Park Zoo, The Gospel Sons, and many more.)   Many enjoy a Wii game or computer class.  Of course, there is always quiet time to watch the birds in the aviaries or the aquarium fish, watch TV or just sit and visit.

Knowing their loved ones are safe and enjoying themselves, caregivers are able to take much needed breaks.

Family members can continue to work because the Friends for Life Adult Day Care Center provides quality care for their loved one during the day.

Other Services

Quality of Life

Friends for Life takes care of so many people who are without family.  Loneliness and isolation are huge issues among our elderly.  In order to let these people know how special they are, we have dozens of programs that remember them throughout the year including:

• Adopt a Grandparent
• Telephone Reassurance
• Friendly Visiting
• Reading to the Blind or Visually Impaired
• Gifts for Grannies & Grandpas, too
• Friends for Thanksgiving
• Gift Making & Craft Programs
• Pen Pals
• Clown Ministry
• Puppet Ministry
• Pet Program
• Music & Art
• Entertainment
• Birthday Cards

Guardianship

In 1990 Friends for Life was asked to serve as legal guardian for a man who had been found unconscious.   He was unable to make medical decisions and he had no family who could intervene on his behalf.  Friends for Life now offers guardianship service in 39 Texas counties and serves as guardian when the judge determines a person lacks capacity and there is no family member qualified and willing to serve.