Day Care for Alzheimer’s Patients
“Mother, you’ll like it once you get there. They have breakfast waiting for you.”
Mother lagged behind, petting her cat, taking off her hat and gloves, stopping to look at a magazine on the table while I stuffed her extra sweater, a change of underwear, and a magazine into the tote bag. Finally we were in the car and heading to the nearby nursing home that also offered day care.
When Mother was no longer able to care for herself, Jim and I moved her from New York State to our home in New Hampshire. However, I was a substitute teacher and needed care for her while I was at work. Fortunately a nursing home in our town furnished day care.
This was a fairly convenient arrangement. Although it’s never totally convenient to bundle an 83-year old lady with Alzheimer’s into winter clothing at 7 AM and take her outside when she isn’t sure why she has to leave the warm house. However, once she reached the nursing home, she enjoyed the warm breakfast waiting for her and the friendliness of the staff and other residents. I’d pick her up aftr school or when I’d completed any shopping and errands for that day.
When Alzheimer’s progresses to the point where the person with this disease cannot be left alone, day care can be a solution for awhile. However, finding day care facilities for Alzheimer’s patients isn’t easy. Our society is just beginning to realize that this type of facility is needed as much as day care for children.
Sometimes you’ll find day care offered at community centers for senior citizens. When one is in the mid- or later stages of Alzheimer’s, though, they need more care than the staff at the senior center is able to provide. In the beginning stages, the community or senior center often can give your family member a place to be with others and a noon meal.
Day care prices vary and might be calculated by the day or by the hour. They’re similar to what you’d pay for youngsters needing day care arrangements, although they may be higher. I was fortunate I could pay only for the days and hours I needed and didn’t have to pay by the week. Some places you may have to commit for a particular number of days or hours as one often must with chidlren’s day care.
To find more about day care in your area, consult your state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Elderly and Adult Services. Also your local hospital may have information, as well as the senior center, or a home health agency. If there is a nursing home nearby, check to see if they offer day care.
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POSTED IN: Alzheimer's/Care, Alzheimer's/General, Alzheimer's/Personal Caregiving Experiences
2 opinions for Day Care for Alzheimer’s Patients
Mona Johnson
Nov 27, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the information!
me
Nov 27, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Hi Mona,
I’m pleased you found this information helpful.
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