What to do when your loved one’s dementia begins disrupting daily routines and activities? As a caregiver, you may still need to work. Or you’re finding it difficult to complete household tasks and errands because your loved one is beginning to wander, or the opposite, they want to be by your side at all times.
It doesn’t seem safe anymore to leave them alone.
Are you feeling secluded in your home? Maybe your loved one is content sitting at home but you worry that they are lonely or not experiencing quality of life. You want to maintain a balance in your life, because like the old saying, you can’t take care of others, if you’re not taking care of yourself.
But it’s difficult managing all of it. What do you do?
There’s a resource that gives time you need while your loved one has opportunities to socialize with others and stimulate their brain functioning! Adult day respite programs, also called adult day cares, exist throughout the greater Birmingham metro area. Each facility has its own style, programming and payment plans but they all have one goal: create a safe and caring environment that supports the needs of those with memory disorders and their caregivers.
For those of us involved in adult day cares, why do we believe in it? It creates a routine and a schedule for our loved ones. The group dynamic can encourage individuals to participate in activities they wouldn’t necessarily do at home. Caregivers meet others who are experiencing similar circumstances, creating a camaraderie and family-like approach to caregiving. We see people thriving, not just existing.
How do you find an adult day care? Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama is a non-profit organization providing education, support and resources. Not only does their website (alzca.org) list adult day care facilities in Central Alabama, but they also have scholarships to help pay for adult day care services. In addition, they have continence and nutritional supplement programs for supplies.
Angela Hammond is owner and Director of The Day Place, located in Gardendale, and writes a health column for The North Jefferson Herald.
