Alzheimer's Day Program Provides Respite

The Alzheimer's Day program based in the has been providing care and help to seniors with Alzheimer's disease and dementia as well as their caretakers for almost 24 years. 

“We talked about Chinese New Year and figured out what Chinese astrological sign we fall under,” said Annamaria Testa, assistant director of the Herricks Alzheimer’s day program, explaining some of the things that go on in the program.

The majority of the program’s 30 clients have early to moderate Alzheimer’s and dementia.  These clients may already be suffering from some memory loss and social withdrawal, but are still able to perform many everyday tasks without help.  The program helps counteract these early symptoms with training in memory and socialization.

While clients do serious exercises in orientation of person, place and time, trivia and fact or fiction games, they are always finding an excuse to have fun.

“We’re always celebrating birthdays and partying,” Testa jokes.  “We have live music everyday and we dance and sing and carry on.”

Just as important as the services provided for clients are those provided for family and caretakers.

“We have meetings extended to all family members,” Testa said. “Also, twice a year in the spring and fall months, we have support groups run by a social worker.”

As difficult as the disease is for the client, the program also takes into account the toll it can take on the morale of the person’s family and peers.

“It’s important for family members and caregivers to be able to sit and talk, hang out, share experiences and brainstorm… it shows they’re not alone.”

The Herricks Alzheimer’s Day program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is always welcoming new members.  For information on their rolling application, call (516) 742-0851.