My husband has been going to a senior center now for over a year. He was diagnosed with
frontal lobe dementia over 4yrs now. I did a
long search to find somewhere for him to be
for part of the day.
Everything with what is needed for this type of
diseases was very expensive. My husband is not
a veteran. An employee at a daycare home suggested I call LULAC a senior center. Called
and talked with the administrative asst.
Made an appt. to go and visit. Took Harry
with me.
Nothing fancy clean and a nice staff. No nurses
They have a calander of some events every month
They pick him up and bring him home. There is no
charge. They get lunch and there is fruit set out for morning.
I was so desperate in the beginning to fund somewhere he could keep is mind active. I know
they may not have all the activies and trained personell a day care center does but when you
dont have the funds your choices are limited.
I guess my question is would anyone here consider
this type of place for there loved one without the
trained personell. I do know there is one other
person with ALZ.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS

Carol D., I think you did a great job finding a place where your husband could go and remain active.

Perhaps you could get other ideas from other people there so that you can have some options in the future, too. It's probably ok that there's not a nurse if there is no need for one. You put in plenty of time working and being a caregiver, so the time your husband is at the center gives you a break and allows you to do what you need to do. He needs you to be healthy.

As long as the administration of the center has no difficulty with the situation, take advantage of it.

I'd totally consider a place like this!
My Grandma went to a daycare center and there was a nurse there once or twice a week to take bp and dole out pills in a pill dispenser for caregivers to give at home- I declined these services. If my Grandma felt ill there, they would call me and I would decide if she could stay or if I needed to pick her up. If she would have gotten really ill and needed to be in a hospital, they would call 911. Why would you need a nurse in an adult daycare, really?
The place was great and they took amazing care of my Grandma. The only reason she's not still going there is because I'm currently not working and don't have the funds.

If you think about it, CNAs who work in ALFs and NHS are trained for a very brief time. I took a course and it was just a few weeks for 3-4 hours a night and most of what we learned was how to bathe, feed, change a catheter bag. I really don't think it would have helped me to learn how to work in an adult daycare center. Additionally, home health aides who care for LOs in their homes almost always aren't CNAs or RNs. I don't know that a ton of training is really required to work in a day care center. A good heart, patience, and sympathy are what really matters.

I wish there were a place like this near where I live! I think my mom would enjoy the social interaction. She wouldn't need a nurse. And she can't walk well so she wouldn't wander. If you feel he is safe there, you need to have time to yourself, that's important too!

Carol:

It sounds like it is definitely worth a try. If you had a good impression after visiting, then give it a try. If you have any other questions for them, give them a call and ask. How do they respond to medical emergencies, they probably have some routine in place because they are offering day care to people. Although, it's nice to have people who are specially trained in dementia, often they just have to be caring, attentive people. We are all caregivers here and we weren't formally trained. Did you get a sense from talking to them, that they would be able to care for your husband? Is their building secure to avoid any wandering out of the building? Those would be my main concerns, how medical emergencies are dealt with and the security of the building and the participants of the program.

Carol,,you should certainly give it a try. You will know if its going to be a good fit for your husband or not.

If your husband needs medications dispensed to him during the time he would be at the free daycare,,,you'll need to ask if that facility is allowed to do that or not.

I know daycare is expensive,,but some day cares can get some grants to help defray your cost,,you may want to ask about that.

How often would your husband be going? And perhaps for the first couple of times,,you could drop in at lunchtime,,and see how he's doing.

Did you ask the facility what type of activities they do there for people with dementia,,if they do any at all?

Just ask alot of questions,,and get answers that satisfy you. Best of luck,,,keep us posted on things. Peace

If there's a program director, I'd print out a copy of Understanding the Dementia Experience to share with the staff (or if this material seems too complex, the Alz association has simple clear handouts on how to respond to someone with the disease.).

Help them by making a list of things that calm or engage your husband. What music he likes. What he enjoys doing.

Does he have a Safe Return bracelet? You might contact the nearest police station and introduce yourself in case he wanders. Have a current photo.

But even if he does little or nothing there, as long as he seems safe REMEMBER your having a break is CRUCIAL to this long term caregiving...

ps. Perhaps you and the staff can tell him he has been hired to help someone else there... perhaps someone in a wheelchair or passing out meals or ???

Carol, I would agree with the above suggestions. My additional questions have to do with safety. Is the facility secured so people cannot get out and wander? What are there emergency procedures?

When my hubby first started day care we tried to a few days to see if he was comfortable and wanted to go back.

You might check with some of the private pay centers to see if they have any scholarships. Or, with the Senior Services in your area.
Good luck. Be gentle with yourself