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Treatment and Support for Families Affected by Alzheimer's and other Memory Disorders |
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Forget-Me-Nots | Forget-me-nots
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Caregiver
Network
News
A monthly newsletter for caregivers of loved ones with memory loss
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ADULT DAYCARE - It's a Win-Win Option | |
"My mother is bored to death sitting around the house all day."
"I can't leave my wife alone, but I have to have some time for myself."
"My husband won't agree to having a stranger come stay with him while I'm out. He says he doesn't need a 'sitter,' but what else can I do?"
These are common questions from caregivers of people with memory loss. Dementia robs its victims of more than just memory - it also hinders their ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed, or even to get started with familiar tasks, so that they frequently end up doing nothing at all. Now their days loom before them, empty and boring, and they become frustrated, angry, or withdrawn. Their caregivers, too, are frustrated and at a loss to know how to help.
An adult daycare program may be the answer. These centers provide a safe, stimulating environment that caters to persons with memory loss, giving them companionship, entertainment, and a sense of purpose. For their caregivers, the respite it affords them is invaluable.
Most adult programs include a variety of supervised activities, including crafts, gardening, music and dance, exercise and games, daily or weekly outings, and visits by children and animals. Many offer bathing and haircare services. A nutritious lunch is provided, and most centers are happy to work with special dietary needs. Transportation to and from the center is often available. Rates for full- and half-days vary, and are based on the level of care required. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify; many long-term care insurance policies will cover all or most of the cost.
Frequently, the biggest challenge for families is getting a reluctant family member to try an adult day program. Read about what's worked for some of our caregivers in next month's issue of
Caregiver Network News. |
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Q & A | |
THE QUESTION:
(to participants at local adult daycare centers)
"What do you like best about coming here?"
ANSWERS:
"Companionship!" "The people!"
"I live alone, so I love these 3 days."
"I can't wait for Tuesdays to get here!"
"It's my life."
ANSWERS
from CAREGIVERS:
"My wife is so much happier now -- and so am I."
"We enjoy catching up with each other at the end of our day, just like we did in the old days."
"It's given me back my life."
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ADULT DAYCARE in ASHEVILLE & HENDERSONVILLE |
CarePartners Mon-Fri 68 Sweeten Creek Rd 7:30am - 6:00pm
Asheville 28803 Sat, 9:00am - 5:00pm
828.277.3399
www.carepartners.org
DayStay Mon-Fri
35 Candler School Rd 7:30am - 5:30pm
Candler, NC 28715
828.665.1575
Jewish Community Center Tues, Wed. Thurs.
236 Charlotte Street 10:00am - 2:00pm
Asheville 28804
828.253.0701
www.jcc-asheville.org
Marci's Adult Day Services to open mid-July
5 West Oakview Rd OPEN HOUSE on Sun. July 11
(near Oak Forest Presb. Church) 2-9pm
Asheville 28806
828.702.0691
Pardee Pavilion Mon-Fri
114 College Drive 7:30am - 5:30pm
Flat Rock, NC 28731
828.697.7070
www.pardeehospital.org |
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REMINDER! | |
Don't forget about our
Early Memory Loss Support Group!
This group is not for caregivers, but is for those who are experiencing the challenges of having early-stage memory loss. Please contact us prior to your first visit so that we may better understand your needs or those of your loved one. Caregivers are invited to attend the Third Tuesday MemoryCaregivers Network group which meets at the same time.
See details in the Caregiver Calendar below. |
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DON'T KNOCK IT 'TIL YOU'VE TRIED IT! Creative Ideas from Our Caregivers |  Finding ways to keep a person with memory loss busy or entertained can be challenging. As their disease progresses, they become unable to do the things they used to enjoy -- an avid reader loses interest in books, a lifelong knitter stops knitting, a gardener no longer enjoys working in the yard. It's hard for their families to understand that these activities, once enjoyed, have now become difficult and confusing. Helping a loved one find new ways of staying busy allows him or her to feel useful, alleviates boredom, and reduces stress on everyone. Look for simple, uncomplicated tasks that, to you, may seem tedious or boring. For instance, sorting through a box or drawerful of familiar items is usually a good activity for most people with memory loss --recipes, jewelry, laundry, kitchen utensils, knitting yarns and sewing items are good for women; fishing or golf gear, tools and hardware, electronic or mechanical components, playing cards, and desk items are good for men. How about that pile of cardboard boxes that needs to be broken down for recycling? One caregiver enlisted her mother to "help" her pack for a move: she asked her mother to arrange and fold all the linen napkins and placemats. This simple task kept the mother entertained and focused while the daughter was able to pack the entire room. Another caregiver asked her husband to clean the silver. He was at it for hours, and asked for more the next day.
Here's the caveat: the job may not be done to your standards, or even completed, so be sure to pick something that isn't of great importance to you. Remember that you will need to get them started, and then allow them to do the work in whatever manner they choose. It will probably take them much longer to finish than it would you, but that's OK -- the object is to keep them busy! Be sure to thank them for helping you ("Boy, I'm sure glad that's done! Thanks!"), whether or not you like the way they did it. So if the napkins aren't folded the way you would have folded them, or if the screws are in with the nails, take a deep breath and look the other way! |
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CAREGIVER CALENDAR |
 MEMORYCAREGIVERS NETWORK
SUPPORT GROUPS
free & open to the public
FIRST TUESDAY GROUP
12:30-2:00 p.m.
Calvary Episcopal Church (in the library), Fletcher, N.C.
Hendersonville Road across from Fletcher Ingles
THIRD TUESDAY GROUP
12:30-2:00 p.m
New Hope Presbyterian Church (lower level)
3070 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, N.C.
(across from Givens Estates)
EARLY MEMORY LOSS GROUP
(Initial screening required. Please call for information)
Meets concurrently with the Third Tuesday Group
For more information about any of these, contact:
Mary Donnelly Pat Hilgendorf
828.230.4143 828.645.9189
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GROW OLD ALONG WITH ME
Workshop featuring David Johnson, M.D., and Karen Hardy, F.N.P.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 2:00-4:00 pm
Carolina Village, 200 Thompson St, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792
Professionals in the field of Geriatrics explore issues of aging as portrayed in literature & film. There is no fee but registration is required. Parking available at Epic Theatres with shuttle service to the program. Call 828.274.4801 ext. 2249 to register (enter extension number when "Cisco" message is heard), or 828.771.2219 for questions.
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QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMORY LOSS?
Informational meeting to learn about Alzheimer's disease and related causes of memory loss, and community resources for families affected. Light refreshments served. Sponsored by Alzheimer's Assn, Land-of-Sky Regional Council, and Pardee Pavilion.
Monday, August 16, 2010, 10:00-Noon
Pardee Pavilion, 114 College Drive, Flat Rock, NC
Call 828.697.7070 to register.
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Save the Date!
"The Music of John Denver" performed by Tom Donnelly & Friends
Diana Wortham Theater, downtown Asheville
October 17, 2010, 4:00 pm
A benefit for MemoryCare
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NOTABLE QUOTABLES | |
"Meaning is the food and water that nourishes the human spirit."
- William H. Thomas, MD
Learning from Hannah |
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MemoryCare gratefully acknowledges support from the
Glaxo-Smith-Kline Foundation's Ribbon of Hope Program
for making this newsletter possible.
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MemoryCare relies on charitable donations for operations. Please consider MemoryCare in your estate planning.
To visit our website, click on
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