Medical Model Adult Day Care…. Why It’s So Important

By Diane Sancho, MSW

Executive Director, Alice’s Clubhouse Memory Care Day Center

Are you currently a caregiver for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia? I’m here to let you know you’re not alone and there is help.

Today in South Carolina it’s estimated there are 89,000 people living with Alzheimer’s, while 309,000 caregivers provide millions of hours in unpaid care. Alzheimer’s is now the most expensive disease in the U.S. There is no known cure and research has yet to provide the answer. The disease continues to take its toll on those afflicted and those providing care. If you’re a caregiver, then you’ll recognize yourself and understand. You’re a part of these statistics.

Dementia doesn’t care what race, religion, level of income you have or what stage of life you are in. You can be retired, or the you might be juggling work and caring for your own children.

Close to home it’s taking its toll. South Carolina is the state with highest number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to speak with anyone who hasn’t been affected by this disease. I once attended an Early Onset Seminar entitled, “Not a Tidal Wave, but a Tsunami.” That is truer now than ever.

So how do you cope in this rising flood? How do you spend your limited dollars wisely? How do you survive and provide the needed care?

The good news is that there is hope and there are things you can do. The first step for caregivers is: Get help! You are not alone. You can start by understanding the disease, learning how to communicate with your loved one and taking control of your life by managing your time and stress. It’s so important to know when it’s time to seek help outside the family, so that you can be a better caregiver.

In most places, if you want to keep your loved one home and still have that important time for yourself, hiring an RN or other skilled home care worker to come to you is the only option. This is can be expensive.

If you’re fortunate, you can enroll them in a quality adult day care program – but those are not commonly available. And there are only a few in the country that are focused on people suffering from memory care issues.

It’s exactly for those reasons we’re opening Alice’s Clubhouse Memory Care Day Center — the first medical model day program in the Lowcountry.  We provide unrivaled private care for those affected by Alzheimer’s/dementia. With a staff of highly trained and experienced memory care professionals, we have a cutting-edge and stimulating daily program. We also offer deliciously balanced meals, a one-stop facility for many of your care needs (dentistry, podiatry, rehab, salon services and more), as well as emotional support for both our members and their families.

Your loved one can still live at home and the caregiver greatly benefits as well. According to Caregivers.com, the number one way for caregivers to spend their dollars wisely is to enroll their loved one in a day care program. A high-quality program, such as Alice’s Clubhouse, supports the caregiver AND their loved one.

The benefits of enrolling someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia in a center such as Alice’s Clubhouse are numerous:

1. All individuals are valued and respected.
2. Families will receive emotional support, research opportunities and education about Alzheimer’s/dementia.
3. Your loved one’s physical and cognitive health is monitored on a daily basis by professionals with expertise in various fields of health care (i.e., rehab therapies, dental, podiatry and ophthalmology).      
4. A person-centered recreational and multi-sensory program is offered.
5. There is support for daily living which is based on “doing with,” NOT “doing for.”
6. There is a 1:6 ratio for staffing (SC only requires 1:8), and they are properly trained in dementia care.
7. It’s a state of the art, dementia specific designed center, serving daily healthy snacks and nutritious lunches.
8. Coordination of services is offered for long term care and community resources, at a cost-effective rate.
9. It’s a safe haven which provides peace of mind, and a day of physical and mental rest for caregivers. And finally,
10. 10.It’s a place where individuals are treated with dignity, creating an

environment of warmth, validation and support, bringing a sense

of community to those families struggling to care for a loved one with dementia.

Daily expert help is now accessible in the Charleston area, at an affordable rate. It’s so important for everyone.

Reach out to me — do it for yourself and for your loved one. Remember, you are not alone!