CHAPs History

In late 1992, a group of ten weary and stressed members of Triangle Presbyterian Church (TPC) dealing with the care of their aging parents decided they needed a support group. This was the beginning of Children Helping Aging Parents.

The original group was made up of people of all ages, from two in their 20's to a 73 years old. The group's original motivation grew from a Family Life Seminar conducted by Dr. Al Dimmock, an authority on aging and a former pastor of TPC. Another motivator was Dr. Robert Rickse, author of the book The Christian Guide to Parent Care, whose niece was a member of the original group. The book became a seven-week discussion topic for the group and Dr. Rickse later facilitated one of CHAPs' annual retreats. After the first year, CHAPs expanded its scope and modified its name to Christians Helping Aging People and kept the acronym CHAPs.