Aging Community Increases Need For Adult Day Programs
Local Program Caters To Dementia Patients
POSTED: 10:16 am EDT October 21,
2009
UPDATED: 10:44 am EDT October 21,
2009
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BOSTON -- Every 70 seconds, someone will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It is a horrible disease that takes away a person's memories, and independence.
Care Center Helps Alzheimer's Patients, Families Help | National Adult Care Service AssociationAnd it's especially hard on families because there aren't many places to turn for help. But as NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported, there's a local program that caters to dementia patients.At Rogerson House, in Jamaica Plain, Mass., a day program has been designed exclusively for adults living with dementia. They use singing, dancing and art to reach out to their patients."Our staff is specially trained with dementia patients, how to bring out the best in them, how to create a sense of dignity and personhood around them all day, every day," said Joanne Seifart, director of Rogerson House.Rogerson House is a part of Rogerson Communities. The adult day program for dementia patients began in 2000. Twenty-eight people are currently enrolled. On any given day, between 15 to 20 are dropped off here. Eva Hammond is one of them."It provided a community for her," said Gloria White-Hammond, Eva's daughter-in-law. "In many ways, I think because of the structure and the stimulation, it's staved off the progression of the disease."This type of program is invaluable to the entire family."We've got pretty busy schedules and we can't be with her all day long," said Raymond Hammond, Eva's son.The program has been a blessing for Julia and Jim Wallace. Julia is in the advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease."This offers an opportunity for Julia to have some interesting activity going on, socializing with the other people here the staff is compassionate. And I get to do my work without worrying about what's happening to Julia," Wallace said.
Care Center Helps Alzheimer's Patients, Families Help | National Adult Care Service AssociationAnd it's especially hard on families because there aren't many places to turn for help. But as NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported, there's a local program that caters to dementia patients.At Rogerson House, in Jamaica Plain, Mass., a day program has been designed exclusively for adults living with dementia. They use singing, dancing and art to reach out to their patients."Our staff is specially trained with dementia patients, how to bring out the best in them, how to create a sense of dignity and personhood around them all day, every day," said Joanne Seifart, director of Rogerson House.Rogerson House is a part of Rogerson Communities. The adult day program for dementia patients began in 2000. Twenty-eight people are currently enrolled. On any given day, between 15 to 20 are dropped off here. Eva Hammond is one of them."It provided a community for her," said Gloria White-Hammond, Eva's daughter-in-law. "In many ways, I think because of the structure and the stimulation, it's staved off the progression of the disease."This type of program is invaluable to the entire family."We've got pretty busy schedules and we can't be with her all day long," said Raymond Hammond, Eva's son.The program has been a blessing for Julia and Jim Wallace. Julia is in the advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease."This offers an opportunity for Julia to have some interesting activity going on, socializing with the other people here the staff is compassionate. And I get to do my work without worrying about what's happening to Julia," Wallace said. Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
