Passing by the St. Francis of Assisi church in the Evergreen area on a typical weekday, you may be unaware of the little miracles happening to seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. And you may not hear the sighs of relief from caregivers who after spending many hours a day trying to manage their loved ones’ care finally get a chance for a little break. Every weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Catholic Charities Day Break Cares Adult Day Care Program in Sunnyvale and in San Jose provides seniors with an array of exciting and stimulating social activities that bring meaning to their confused world and provide opportunities for them to meaningfully connect with others.
Seniors with Alzheimer’s face an uphill battle as the disease slowly strips them of their identity and ability to recall treasured moments from their past. Life skills and talents they once mastered become demanding challenges, with their caregivers stepping in to keep their lives intact for as long as possible. Catholic Charities Day Break brings a breath of life for both.
Arts and crafts projects provide an outlet for creativity—giving the senior choices of how their masterpieces will look through design, color, and placement. Trivia, music and reminiscing activities help them recall pieces of their past and their shared stories become memories for us to cherish. Dancing, exercise, and sports bring opportunities for group interaction and individual exploration of movement and physical abilities. We respect and acknowledge each senior’s talents and abilities—attempting to provide activities that will cater to their individual needs.
As for our caregivers, we are there for them as well, providing valuable resources they can consider when their needs suddenly change. Our monthly caregiver support groups provide them a safe place where they can share problems and ideas with others and learn new ways to approach the challenges they face.
Are you a caregiver who needs this breath of life for yourself and your loved one? Then why not look into our Day Break Cares Adult Day Care program.
You can learn more by visiting our website daybreakcares.org or call the Program Supervisor, Milton Cadena at (408) 325-5237 for more information.
We also welcome volunteers who would like to make a difference in our seniors’ lives. You too can bring a breath of life to our program.