by Michelle Seitzer, SeniorsforLiving.com

I may have found my new dream job: just check the June 12 edition of the New York Times for the article titled “Dusk-to-Dawn Therapy for Dementia’s Restless Minds.” The Hebrew Home at Riverdale (in the North Bronx, NY) boasts an amazing program called ElderServe at Night, dedicated to serving those with dementia who experience challenges in the evening hours:

“Nighttime can be treacherous for people with dementia, who are often struck by sleeplessness or night terrors and prone to wandering about. This agitation and disorientation, called ’sundowning,’ is especially vexing for relatives trying to care for them at home, and often hastens their placement in nursing homes.”

Despite the high number of daycare programs for those with Alzheimer’s, ElderServe at Night, which has served residents for a decade, is likely the only program of its kind in the country.

Here’s how Elderserve at Night works

So here’s how it works: program participants are picked up from their homes at 7 p.m. and stay at the Hebrew Home until 7 a.m. While at the Hebrew Home, participants partake in anything from midnight walks to outdoor dance parties to massage and light therapy.

In 1998, Daniel Reingold, who now serves as President & CEO of The Hebrew Home, saw a need. Family caregivers he spoke with shared “horror stories” about the measures they would take to keep their loved one from wandering at night. These measures ultimately led to sleep deprivation and early facility placement. Reingold joined forces with David W. Pomeranz, the home’s associate executive director, to take typical day care programs and offer them at night.

Another highlight of the program is the emphasis on non-pharmacological interventions:

“Rather than give agitated patients mood-altering drugs, ElderServe aides might lead them by the hand into a softly lighted room, slip off their shoes and socks, and massage their feet with a warm washcloth.”

What a great program! And it’s a win-win, really: Burdened caregivers get respite from their caregiving duties, and most importantly, sleep, allowing them to better care for their loved one during the day. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s get the care and attention they need, no matter what time it is; many even flourish in this setting because the program provides companionship and meaningful activities instead of sleeping pills and alarmed doors.

Adult day care is a growing industry. My hope is that adult “evening” care will follow suit.

- Michelle Seitzer is a blogger for SeniorsforLiving.com, which provides information and resources about senior care and senior housing.

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