By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
In the background, a football highlight reel plays and an older gentleman claps and laughs with joy for the spectacular skills caught on screen.
This is a good day for the retired professor, said Izzy Alaniz, director of the newly opened Memory Lane program at the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green. After discussions with a family member about his interests, Alaniz decided to try playing the football highlight reel to relieve the anxiety the man was feeling.
It worked, and on Wednesday, the gentleman was relaxed in the Memory Lane program designed to care for people with memory difficulties and for their families who want to keep their loved one at home, but also need care during the day so they can work or get respite.
“When they come here they have a team of people to help care for them,” Alaniz said. And when their loved ones are cared for, their families no longer feel responsible for being with them 24-7.
“It gives family members and caregivers a respite,” she said.
The space at the senior center is furnished to provide a peaceful place. There is a quiet room with recliners, calming music and puzzles. There is a fenced in patio with a bench and bird feeders. There is a comfy couch with a thick afghan, a piano, tables and games, and a place for exercising.
Meals are provided by the senior center.
The space also includes handicapped restrooms and a shower, where staff can assist someone – especially if a caregiver at home is struggling with the task. The doors must be opened by staff, to avoid anyone from walking away from the facility.
The site at the Wood County Senior Center provides socialization, activities, meals and nursing services. It offers a safe living environment, where families don’t have to worry about their loved one leaving the house or leaving the stove on.
“We built that suite specifically for that,” Wood County Committee on Aging Executive Director Denise Niese said of the room designed for adults with cognitive issues brought on by dementia, strokes or head injuries.
To be enrolled in the program, people are no longer required to have a diagnosis of a memory problem, Alaniz said. Younger people with traumatic brain injuries, or people too weak to leave home alone may also be accepted.
During the first two weeks of the Memory Lane program in Bowling Green, six people have been enrolled. The program has room for 22 people, with a staff ratio of one to six.
Right now the program is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When more people join, the facility will be open Monday through Friday.
“There seems to be a pretty big need,” Alaniz said.
“It’s been a long journey to get here,” she said.
After waiting more than two years, in March the adult day program in Wood County was awarded funding by the Ohio Department of Aging.
“It’s something our constituents have been waiting for since we’ve had this building,” Niese said. “This is going to be a wonderful service.”
The program will also help their families who are trying to keep them at home.
“This will allow caregivers to have a break – for respite or for work,” Niese said.
The need for such services is growing as more older adults have long term care needs, as smaller family sizes mean fewer care options, as home care options become more limited, and as more caregivers remain in the workforce.
Adult day centers provide caregivers with a much-needed break, allow them to continue working and attend to their own needs while giving individuals with memory loss an opportunity to socialize, receive care and participate in programming within a safe, supportive atmosphere.
Anyone interested in the program may call the senior center at 419-353-5661 and ask for Izzy.
