Adapting Adult Day Programs for an Aging Population with

Dementia

Presented by: Bev LaPorte, Sue Murphy, Christine Schroeder Hubert,

Jan Severloh, Laurie Young

What is an Adult Day Program?

A community-based resource that provides group programs offering health, support and therapeutic recreational services to adults who may be isolated, physically frail, or living with a chronic condition.

Adult Day Programs also provide respite and support to caregivers. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority funds Adult Day Programs.

Intake Criteria

Participants in an Adult Day Program:

Have been assessed by the Continuing Care team.

Are registered with the Home Care Program. Are referred by a Continuing Care Case

Coordinator. Function within the limits defined by the sponsor.

Lions Adult Day Programs

The Lions Club of Winnipeg Housing Centres currently sponsors four programs. The Lions Place, Charleswood, and Concordia Adult Day Programs offer a generic approach to therapeutic recreational activities.

Lions Adult Day Programs

The Pacesetter Program at Manor Adult Day Club, and the Friday program at Charleswood and Concordia Adult Day Clubs are designed to meet the needs of those individuals experiencing mild to moderate cognitive impairment as a result of Alzheimer Disease or other causes. To function optimally in the Day Club setting, those being referred will need to have certain functional abilities.

Behavioural/Cognitive Functioning

Lions Adult Day Programs are based on all participants having the following functional abilities:

Follow a simple, single stage command.

Be oriented in at least one sphere of: person, time or place.

Have some attention span, even if for a very short period of time, to participate in group programs.

Behavioural/Cognitive Functioning

Have some residual concept of socially appropriate / acceptable behaviours.

Appropriately respond to physical barriers erected to ensure safety.

Be able to either verbally or non-verbally communicate their basic needs or secure the attention of Day Program staff.

Physical Functioning

Only limited assistance will be available for activities of daily living, therefore participants must have the following abilities:

Be able to move around the room with or without assistance, including mechanical aides or one other person.

Be able to feed themselves, i.e. cueing, plate guards.

Physical Functioning

Have bowel and bladder functions managed by a toileting routine

Have some ability to dress self, given verbal or physical prompts.

Be able to physically tolerate being active for a day without extreme fatigue or exhaustion.

Home Visits

The purpose of a home visit prior to admission to an Adult Day Program is to:

Develop a rapport with the potential member / family member.

Obtain a baseline assessment of the cognitive function of potential members in a familiar environment.

How We Adapt

Teamwork

Design

Programs

Daily Schedule

Teamwork

Transportation

Communication between the ADC staff and the member’s caregiver, family, and case coordinator

Volunteer Orientation

Design

Open-area concept

Open-area concept with adaptations

Secure area concept

Programs

The Use of Quarterly & Weekly Themes

Reason for doing a theme

Resources used in choosing a theme

Theme examples

Programs

Outings

Mailed invitations to primary caregivers.

Checklist

Programs

Quarterly Newsletter

Music Therapist

Daily Schedule

The ADC program is designed to allow members to pace themselves during the day, choose activities they enjoy, and have fun. Following is a schedule that allows this to happen.

Lions Place ADC Pacesetter ADC

9:00-9:45 Pick-Up

10:00 Arrival10:00-10:45 Morningside

10:45-12:00 Exercises 12:00-1:00 Mental Fitness1:00-2:00 Lunch2:00-2:30 Rest & Relaxation 2:30-3:15 Recreation3:15-3:30 Sharing Circle 3:30-3:45 Transit & Depart

8:30-10:00 Pick-Up10:15-11:00 Arrival/Morningside11:00-11:30 Theme Intro

News & Views11:30-12:00 Mental Fitness12:00-12:30 Exercises12:30-1:30 Lunch 1:30-2:00 Recreation2:00-2:15 Theme & MF game2:15-2:45 Sing-a-long2:45-3:00 Snack & Washroom

break3:00 Depart