Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging, especially without support.
Often, caregivers experience caregiver burnout and are afraid of bringing up the negative aspects of their role. As a caregiver, you may feel guilty for your negative thoughts or feelings, but they are pretty normal.
Senior and adult daycares can help you catch up on some rest and work while your senior loved one socializes and participates in activities. These centers are mentally, emotionally, and physically beneficial for all parties.
If you are interested in learning about senior day care or looking for a fun place for your senior loved one, you could check out the Kensington Reston’s day club.
From September to November, The Kensington Reston partnered with Insight Memory Care Center, to host RECONNECTIONS. RECONNECTIONS was an 8-week program that offered support, socialization, recreation, and activities for seniors with memory loss.
What is Reconnections?
The Reconnections program was exclusively for seniors experiencing mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia.
Using small groups, memory care professionals helped seniors maintain their current cognitive ability, express themselves creatively, develop a sense of purpose and belonging, and engage with peers safely.
The perks of senior day clubs
Senior care centers are for older adults to go to during the day while their caregiver works or just takes time to relax and engage in self-care. Here, a senior can receive medical care, be monitored, and participate in activities while socializing.
Some seniors may not require much assistance and only need a place to go to be around others. A day club is excellent for that because their programs are usually packed full of fun activities.
Though, if a senior does require more care, that is acceptable as well. This is why the senior day club includes nurses and other highly trained professionals.
Services
The club offers many services for participants throughout the day, including:
- Recreation
- Socialization
- Exercise
- Therapy
- Counseling
- Physical therapy
- Supervision
- Medical care
- Medication management
- Health screenings
- Dining
Benefits
There are many benefits to registering your senior loved one in a senior day club for both you and them.
Having time for yourself during the day will give you a chance to work, socialize with friends, engage in hobbies you enjoy, and relax.
As for your senior loved one, they will have the opportunity to receive mental and social stimulation in a safe and nurturing environment.
Supporting caregivers and protecting seniors from isolation
Using the services and support that come with a senior care center is not selfish. Being a caregiver is one of the most demanding and costly jobs out there, and it can take its toll on you emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Plus, your senior loved one will likely enjoy their time away from you, building and maintaining friendships with others.
A senior’s life becomes more fulfilling when they have things to look forward to each day, such as life enrichment activities, rather than sticking with the same boring routine.
A healthy social life is essential for seniors, as it helps them ward off physical, mental, and emotional difficulties that seniors who are isolated encounter.
Isolated seniors are more susceptible to depression, loneliness, and anxiety. While socialized seniors are happier, have better immune systems and cardiovascular health, live longer, are more fit, less likely to have depression and anxiety, and have greater self-esteem.
Transitioning to long-term care
You may not have thought about transitioning your senior loved one to an assisted living or memory care community.
Perhaps you thought you would always be able to care for them, and they would age in place. While this is what some families would love to do, most are not capable of doing this.
If your senior loved one requires daily assistance because they are incapable of doing everyday tasks alone, you may want to consider transitioning them.
Often, seniors in the later stages of a memory disease will need to be supervised 24/7 and can become a danger to themselves if not watched. Accidents are more likely to occur at home than in a community with locked doors, security, and surveillance cameras.
You will also want to consider an immediate transition if your senior loved one requires medical assistance. There are some medical devices and equipment that even hired professional caregivers cannot provide.
If you are concerned that your loved one will be lonely, rest assured they will have an active lifestyle and social life at the Kensington Reston. Whether your senior enjoys golf, music, or baking, they will be able to participate in a list of exciting activities.
Memory care communities and day club
At The Kensington Reston, there are two memory care neighborhoods. By developing two individual memory care neighborhoods, memory care services become more effective. Seniors with memory loss require different needs, depending on the degree of memory loss they have.
Connections
In Connections neighborhood, seniors with mild cognitive impairment or in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia would benefit the most. Here, seniors can remain independent while receiving minimal assistance and care.
Haven
For seniors in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia, Haven would be most beneficial. Residents in this neighborhood are likely to be less independent and need a higher level of assistance.
The Kensington Day Club
At the Kensington Day Club, seniors participate in small group activities that experienced memory care professionals lead. The Day Club helps seniors that are experiencing mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia.
Here, they will develop a sense of purpose and belonging by being themselves, interacting with others, and receiving support.
While you, their caregiver, are taking time for self-care, you can rest assured that your senior loved one is in excellent, caring hands, working on self-care as well.
To learn more about what The Kensington Dayclub does for its seniors and their caregivers, be sure to reach out and learn more about their program and memory care community.
A safe and nurturing home
The role of a caregiver is a selfless one that requires love, patience, and rest.
Whether you feel burnout and need a short-term solution, or your senior needs to transition to a new home, we are here to help.
At The Kensington Reston, Our Promise is to love and care for your loved one as we would our own. We know it can be scary to trust a senior loved one with a stranger, which is why we treat our residents and their families like our family.
Our compassionate and nurturing staff and onsite nurse will be there to assist your senior loved one when needed. They may offer emotional, mental, or physical support and socialization, and help with daily tasks.
Reach out today if you are interested in learning more about our senior day club, assisted living or memory care communities, rehabilitation services, and other programs that we offer.