Sioux Empire United Way - Agency Success Stories

Keeping Seniors in Their Homes
Agency: Center for Active Generations Program: Adult Day Break Services Service: The program bridges the gap between independent living and long-term care. The goal is to help participant’s stay in their home, or a family member’s home for as long as safely possible. The program also strives to ease the burden of care-giving by providing respite opportunities for the caregiver. Need: By the year 2025, it is projected that 26,000 individuals in South Dakota will be afflicted by an Alzheimer's type dementia. 81 people used Adult Day Break Services in 2007. Impact: The program at Center for Active Generations provides family members who are care-givers a place safe place for older adults to stay throughout the day, reducing their level of stress and decreasing care giver burnout.	Sounds of soft breathing hang in the air as over 15 older adults doze in recliners. Light laughter slips from a few ladies playing gin rummy. “I’m done,” said Judy, laying down her cards. Judy is a regular at the Center for Active Generations’ Day Break Program. The Day Break Program is an adult day service that provides older adults with the care they need while their loved ones work or take on other daily tasks. For the last 21 years the program has been helping people like Judy stay in their homes with their loved ones. “My favorite part is the singing,” said Judy. “But I have to admit I don’t really care for crafts.” The Day Break Program provides a schedule of daily activities from 7:00am to 5:30pm for older adults who need constant supervision, yet want to stay active. Individuals who use the Day Break Program can participate in crafts, exercise, current event updates, movie time, bingo, mini-golf, kickball, and an assortment of other activities. Judy is currently living with her husband, but faces the beginning stages of dementia. Without this program she would have to go to a nursing home and leave her home and her husband. “Day Break gives older individuals and their families the opportunity to stay together as long as possible,” said Day Break Program Volunteer Connie. “Without this program there would be no alternative to a nursing home.” Thanks to funding from Sioux Empire United Way, Center for Active Generations’ Day Break Program can continue to provide high quality, affordable day care – keeping seniors out of long term care. Brightening the day of individuals like Judy, “Day Break has allowed me and my family to stay together.”
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