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A Day in the Life of Miss Margaret
 As
the American population ages, caretakers face difficult choices.
Five years ago, Mary faced one of the toughest decisions of her life.
Her mother Margaret was showing signs of memory loss, and Mary could no
longer leave her alone in the house they shared when she left for work
each day. So, like many facing this decision, Mary began asking friends
and family for advice. One relative suggested that Mary contact Adult
Day Services, a Catholic Charities program funded in part by United Way.
Mary went to check out the facilities, located at 5920 W. Central.
“It was a good impression at the very start,” she said.
Adult Day Services provides assistance for individuals who need care
during the day but who still live at home. They offer a safe and
affordable option for the caretakers of these individuals. Adult Day
Services offers care for many different types of persons, and Margaret
was placed in the Alzheimer’s/Dementia program.
This program is tailored to meet the specific needs of the clients by
offering activities such as exercise, music, dancing, reading, field
trips, social interaction, and arts and crafts. There is a low
staff-to-client ratio, a security system, and a residential environment
with home-cooked meals.
Margaret now attends the Alzheimer’s/Dementia program for six hours
every day, and has been attending since 2000. She seems satisfied and
comfortable in this environment, which is evident by her happy
demeanor. The facilities are warm and welcoming, and Margaret truly
seems at home. The staff at the facility refers to her as “Miss
Margaret”, an affectionate title for the former teacher.
“Margaret loves to sing and read the paper. She loves to color, and
underline sentences. She is always smiling, and always trying to teach
us skills,” said Joyce Mauerer, Director of Adult Day Services. Joyce
also reiterated just how important the services are that they provide.
“We are truly preventing people from going to a nursing home or
permanent care. The families can rest assured that their loved ones are
being taken care of.”
Mary definitely realizes this, and is grateful that her mother has a
place to get up and go in the morning. She feels comforted by leaving
her mother there. “I know that she is in good hands with professionals.
All of the staff know her name, and they work together and are
patient.”
The Alzheimer’s/Dementia program at Adult Day Services provides a
fun, safe, social environment during the day, but allows clients to
return to the safety and comfort of their own homes at night. Mary is
grateful that this program exists for people like her mother. “Without
this program, I would have had to put her in a care home or hire a
full-time home health aide, which would have been a financial burden,
and my mother would have been lonely.”
See column at right to find out
more about how your support of United Way of the
Plains is helping our community. More Stories:
click here. |
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Assisting the Elderly:
Issue: Older adults need access to safe shelter
during daytime hours when their caregivers are at work.
United Way Actions: United Way’s work with
Catholic Charities Adult Day Services focuses on enhancing the quality
of life for adults with special needs.
Results: Older adults are free from abuse,
neglect and exploitation that often occurs when left alone or in an
unsafe environment.
United Way impacts issues that matter:
For more information:
See other programs funded in the
"Assisting the Elderly" impact area:
click here. |
