Sarah Adult Daycare
Article submitted by Beverly DiSabato, Executive Director of SARAH Adult Day Care in Forest Hills.
For more information, he can be reached at 412-271-3600.
What do We do Now?
Another holiday season has ended. The children were delighted, the food was terrific and abundant and wishing friends and family
health and happiness was fun. But some things just weren't right. Mom and Dad were delighted to see you, but they couldn't remember
your name. Or Mom cried all the time because Dad thought she was his mother instead of his wife. And what about Aunt Mary who
forgets to take her blood pressure medicine or Uncle Joe who wanders our the front door and forgets how to get home?
You may have been faced with scenarios such as these over the holidays. Discussions usually ensued with such questions as What do
we do now? How can we keep him safe? How can we help mom take care of dad? Does he need a nursing home? Who can I call for help?
Surprisingly, nursing home placement may not be the best solution. Adult day care is fast becoming the viable alternative to
immediate nursing home care. According to the Nation Adult Day Services Association (www.nadsa.org)
Adult day programs are increasingly used to meet the needs of caregivers with elder family members who need assistance and support
with daily living skills. Enrollment is as simple as a phone call to schedule and assessment. For caregivers who work or for spouses
who need a break enrolling the parent, spouse, relative or friend in a quality day program provides :
- SAFETY: Participants spend the day in comfortable, home line surroundings designed to eliminate unsafe conditions that
many older adults face when alone. Emergency procedures are in place and available for review by all who enter the center.
Regular fire drills are conducted and the Center is licensed and inspected by at least one state agency.
- MEDICAL SUPPORT: A full time registered nurse assists and supports participants by monitoring blood pressures, weights
and other vital signs, monitoring prescribed diets and daily functioning levels, and assisting with medications. A quality
program employs a nurse who takes an active role in the assessment process, is alert to signs of emergencies, and is adept at
assisting with all levels of care.
- NUTRITION: Many older adults believe they eat quality meals and take in adequate fluids. This may not be the case. For
example, the National Association of Geriatric Education Centers reports that dehydration is a frequent and costly medical
problem that has ranked consistently in the top ten of the most frequent hospitalizations for older adults. Quality day programs
offer a complete lunch and at least two nutritious snacks during the day. Additional fluids are offered throughout the day and
special attention is paid to those who are at risk for dehydration.
- ASSESSMENT: A comprehensive ongoing evaluation addresses not only the physical and cognitive functioning of each
person, but the medical, social, emotional, spiritual and recreational spheres as well. Individualized care plans are charted
and reviewed at least every three months to indicate progress, stability, and/or regression with families and caregivers invited
to participate.
- STIMULATION: Depression is one of the most under diagnosed or misdiagnosed disorders in the United States. Even mild
depression in older adults can mask as dementia, causing alarm in caregivers. One of the leading causes of depression in
typically healthy older adults is isolation, whether voluntary or involuntary. While depression is not typical to the aging
process, the Geriatric Times (May/June 2001), reports that 15 percent of Americans over age 65 have a diagnosable depression.
This jumps to 25 percent for those elders with chronic illness such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease or stroke.
Stimulating the mind and body helps to prevent depression. A structured approach to therapeutic activities, which builds on the
strengths of each participant offers individual choice and promotes independence is another mark of quality day program.
Specialized activities such as intergenerational programming, men's club, and volunteering opportunities are high points to look
for.
- CAREGIVER SUPPORT: A quality adult day care program must address the needs and stresses of the family. Monthly support
groups provide social, educational and emotional assistance and caring staff take time to listen to the day-to-day concerns of
the caregiver. Specialty services designed to reduce the stress of caregivers are offered, such as bathing, hair and nail care,
podiatry services. And a general How Can I Help attitude abounds. In addition, much needed respite and peace of mind is provided
to a caregiver. For example, if Uncle Joe spends his day at the Center, his wife is able to rest, relax, visit with friends and
complete her daily responsibilities.
At some point nursing home placement may be advisable, but not every older adult with cognitive, physical or neurological
impairments requires immediate residential placement. An older adult day program allows the participant to remain in his or her own
home or with his family for an extended period of time. It promotes community involvement, maintains social connections and
maximizes potentials. A quality older adult day program offers an affordable alternative to residential placement.
Adult day care just may be the answer to some of those questions that were voiced by your family this past holiday season. |
