Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
Suzie interviewed Lynn Jefferson, the Executive and Program Director of Adult Day Services in Nevada City. Lynn performs both jobs as she leads her team of 15 employees and physical and occupational therapy aides to provide services for participants living with Alzheimer’s disease, other cognitive disorders and the frail elderly. The Adult Day Care program provides socialization and recreation to reduce isolation and loneliness for the participant and provide respite for their caregivers. The Adult Day Health Care program supports all adults over 18 with disabilities, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, MS, Parkinson’s disease and other chronic illnesses with physical and occupational therapies and social and nursing services.
How did you get interested in working with Adult Day Services?
The driving force was my mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis eight years ago. I was frightened and upset by the news and my fear was fueled by my lack of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease – which is a common reaction, most people do not know about the disease and strong feelings of denial cause us not to want think or talk about it. It is a devastating disease and we often don’t want to face the realities until we are in crisis. I choose to turn my fear into knowledge and set out to learn as much as possible so that I could help my mom and dad. Because of this, I found my passion working with caregivers and participants at Adult Day Services.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable, unremitting, progressive and ultimately fatal disease. A person goes through many stages, usually living from 8 to 20 years after diagnosis. In the early years, the disease is easily masked and ignored as “senior moments” and a diagnosis may not be made until the person has entered the mid stage of the disease. (This is not to say that people with senior moments or forgetfulness are suffering with Alzheimer’s). The brain cells that control memory, emotions, social behavior, ability for self-care, and many other functions, are dying and unable do their job. Short-term memory is usually the first to go as brain cells within the hippocampus are affected. The person can form no new memories and, they will have difficulty remember names, performing tasks, understanding instructions. They can become disoriented to time and place and will frequently loose things. This is very frustrating for the entire family. In Nevada County, we estimate that there are about 3,000 – 4,000 persons with Alzheimer’s (both diagnosed and un-diagnosed) and many more family members living with its affects.
How does Alzheimer’s affect patients and their families?
For those living with Alzheimer’s (both the person and their family) the disease can be very socially isolating - behaviors are difficult for people both inside and outside the family structure to understand. At first, there is deep denial from the spouse and family, who are beginning to notice, but ignore, odd behaviors. Loneliness and depression often set in as there is less and less in their life that they are capable of doing. Lives are changed in profound ways as abilities are lost. The patient may not be able to attend church or club activities, do the hobbies they once loved, read, or watch television.
What is the program that you offer?
We provide our participants with opportunities to be successful in socialization and recreation and regain some self-actualization. We create activities that are geared towards their cognitive level. They have suffered so many losses, so we strive to counter their feelings of emptiness with stimulation and opportunities to be successful and feel useful. If they can participate in a simple art project, complete a puzzle, have a meaningful conversation with new friends, then they have great moments filled with achievement.
What services do you provide for Caregivers?
Caregivers work 24/7 and are under constant stress. The more help they get, the more proactive in handling life with Alzheimer’s they will be. In our county, we have many support groups, caregiving classes and avenues of help for the caregiver to explore. Respite (a break away from caregiving) is a life-saver for the caregiver and it is important to get it as soon as possible. Using Adult Day Services is one avenue to find the respite that is so necessary for the health of the caregiver.
What have you learned from your work with Alzheimer’s’ patients?
It is the ultimate Zen practice! Because, for the patient there is no memory of what happened ten minutes ago or concept of what will happen ten minutes from now, all you have is the present moment. There can be moments of great peace and joy for those with Alzheimer’s, especially if the people around them refrain from comparing them to the people they used to be and accept them for who they are in this moment. When we loose our expectations - of someone getting better or acting as they used to act, we can stay in the moment with them, stop fighting the disease and learn how to best live with Alzheimer’s. It is a rare to receive more that you give in a job and I feel blessed to have found this profession. This work feeds my soul and I have many moments of giving and receiving love.
Lynn Jefferson can be reached at Adult Day Services, 138 New Mohawk, Nevada City, or 530-265-0605.
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles prior to 2005. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
