Medical alert system, day care programs help caregivers
January 6, 2011
Caring for a spouse or parent with dementia is often a difficult and emotionally exhausting task, especially when one has other responsibilities as well. That’s why the Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital dedicates $100,000 a year to a day care program for the S. Mark Taper Foundation’s A Day Away program, according to The Whittier Daily News.
This initiative has been around for 11 years and currently has 80 participants, some of whom participate in the social service and others who benefit from the medical aspect.
“We focus on prevention,” program director Leslie Ciletti told the news source. “We want to reach out to the community and those caregivers who need help caring for their loved ones. Here, they can feel confident that their loved one is safe and cared for.”
Art Snyder, 80, has recently helped his 77-year-old wife travel to the program, which has helped her stay out of a nursing home, something to which she is strongly opposed.
Those who are looking for ways to help an elderly spouse or parent stay safe may also want to consider one of the several types of medical alert systems. These devices can be installed in a residence and used to send a medical alert to caregivers or doctors in the case of an emergency.
