Dementia

...ba href=/dementia/a/b and help seniors keep social.Time off for caregivers is another benefit of day care, says Terri Whitmire, director of the Lodi day care.

It is crucial component of being able to cope with the mental and physical strain of being a spouse, housekeeper and nurse all at once."If care givers can take care of themselves, they can be better care providers," she said.

ADVERTISEMENT Outside Whitmire's office, a small clutch of seniors sipped from mugs of coffee and caught up on conversations.

Soft strains of the classic song "As Time Goes By" came from a stereo in the kitchen.For a reasonable price, the Adult Day Care Center, operated by Lodi Memorial Hospital, takes care of anyone 18 or older who has special needs.Whitmire says that the prices range depending on how long a person stays at the center each day and week and how much might be covered by an insurance plan.

Medicare does not typically cover day care services.

In Lodi, scholarships, paid for by the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation, aid most families who would otherwise not be able to afford the service.Most of the 130 patients at the adult day care center are elders being cared for at home by spouses or children.

The staff occasionally see patients in their 20s or 30s suffering from head injuries or brain disorders.Any given day brings with it new activities from exercises and craft projects, to birthday parties and show-and-tell sessions.The events are designed to keep the participants engaged and up on their fe...

...ba href=/dementia/a/b sufferers wish they had only talked to mom or dad when they still had the ability to talk about their care wishes.

Visit care homes with an elder before one is needed and let them know your thoughts on being a caregiver.

Decide a plan of action so when the time comes, it won't be a shock to either of you.• Get to know your surroundings.

Do research, go online and read up about what services are available in your area.

From local agencies, like the county's Department of Aging, to local care options, like Lodi Memorial's home health department, there are avenues of help just waiting to be called upon.

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...

...ba href=/dementia/a/b and she attended that program a couple of weeks ago.

We were thoroughly impressed and mom had the time of her life.

Now, my mom is in day-treatment with them, five days a week and they are a great bunch of gals.

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.

Anyone who needs help with a loved one who has ba href=/dementia/a/b or Alzheimer's, reach out to Community Mental Health or the VNA because they are all there with the resources to help you."No name: "Regarding the rooster running loose: I saw it on Seventh Street, near Oak, but I can't seem to find the number of the lady who lost it."I've asked Kim, the bird's owner, to call TalkBack and leave her number, but I haven't heard from her.

Originally published March 25, 2006 Print this article Email this to a friend Subscribe Now TOM WALKER TALKBACK 989-6297 TalkBack is the newspaper's version of a radio talk show.

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