Daycare For Seniors With Dementia And Alzheimer's: Benefits For Everyone

Having a parent diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's is a blow to any adult child. It suddenly puts the adult child in the position of caretaker, and if other adult siblings are not helping or can only help a little bit, the main caretaker can easily become overwhelmed and stressed out. However, as dementia and/or Alzheimer's progresses, it becomes more and more important every day that someone is close by that parent to make sure they are not a wandering risk, that they are safe, and that they are eating and well-cared-for. The stress increases for the caretaker, and it becomes impossible to function, but it does not have to be that way. 

There are "daycare" programs for adults with memory problems. Many of these programs exist to help provide overwhelmed caretakers with a break, and/or to help caretakers return to work full-time but still have someone looking after their mom or dad. If you register your parent with memory and cognition problems in a senior memory care community, here are all of the benefits for you, your parent, and the rest of your family members.

More Frequent Respite With Little to No Cost

Most of them even offer these adult "daycare" programs at no cost to you or your parent, which is a big boon for those struggling to cover home healthcare costs as it is. Other programs may charge a small daily fee to cover snacks and/or meals. Sometimes, Medicare will cover the cost of these programs as well, depending on how much of the program is medical and therapeutic for the individual.

Proven Therapies to Extend Quality of Life for Your Parent

Community centers for adults with dementia and Alzheimer's provide an abundance of structured daily activities that stimulate parts of the brain. In addition to these activities, your parent can freely interact with other adults of a similar age, increasing social awareness and emotional cognition. It helps to prolong the worst of the symptoms through social interaction and activities, and that is exactly what these centers do. Your parent can play games, participate in art and music classes, participate in a "chair aerobics" class, and attend organized special social events like dances. Remaining active and stimulating the brain every day has shown to slow the progression of these disorders. 

Your Family Sees You More

If you are not away from your family for long stretches every day, then your relationships with your children and spouse will not suffer. The stress and strain of caring for a parent are reduced when your parent is at the center daily, and you can spend more quality time with your spouse and children. You will be happier, and so will they. 

To learn more, contact a company like Tabor Crest Memory Care Community today.