I recently had a fantastic time at
an adult day care center for people with dementia. After a brief tour of the
facility, I heard strains of a lively version of “When the Saints Go Marching
In” coming from the activity room. A New Orleans native, I
was not going to miss joining in whatever was going on there. What was going on was a
small parade of participants who lured me right into the festivities. We were marching,
singing, and clapping to a joyful beat as if our lives depended on it. In some
ways, they did. For many who had been homebound often before joining that
center, their lives were truly enhanced by being there. Going to day care, socializing
with friends, having great meals, and participating in engaging activities
had opened up a new world for them. And a new world for caregivers had also
become available.
Lagniappe (lan-yap) is known
as a free treat in New Orleans. For example, it could be a surprise mint candy at the bottom of your carryout bag. Good adult day care services have
lagniappe as well. In addition to the rewards provided for participants at the
center, family caregivers, especially those caregiving individuals with
dementia, receive healthy intangible treats that make their lives better. Research on caregivers indicates that, on adult day care days, caregivers had lower exposure to care-related stressors, more positive
experiences, and more noncare stressors. Using adult day care services lowered caregivers’
anger and reduced the impact of noncore
stressors on depressive symptoms. That’s a lot of lagniappe and an important
endorsement of the positive impact of these services. Review examples of adult
day care benefits for caregivers and participants featured on this video:
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
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