A new overnight care program will open in Mamaroneck for patients with Alzheimer”™s disease and dementia, thanks to a grant from the state Department of Health.
The program at the Sarah Neuman Center will be called “Night Care” and will offer overnight respite care on an outpatient basis to adults who live at home and who suffer from Alzheimer”™s disease and other forms of moderate-to-severe dementia. The program will start off as a nine-month pilot funded by a $282,500 grant from the Department of Health”™s Balancing Incentive Program Innovation Fund.
“From 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Night Care will offer a safe, comfortable and soothing environment for people with dementia,” said a press release from Jewish Home Lifecare, which operates the Sarah Neuman Center. “Beginning twice a week with two patients and growing to three times a week with 31, a staff of nurses, aides and recreation therapists, all trained to work with dementia patients, will engage them in music, art and even aroma therapy.”
According to the press release, these activities have been shown to help stave off restlessness, disorientation, depression, anxiety, and verbal and physical aggression, collectively known as “sundowning,” from which many dementia patients suffer at night. AÂ 2006 study published in The Gerontologist said that sundowning is the primary reason why families who are otherwise able to care for their loved ones decide to place them in nursing homes.
The Sarah Neuman Center will work with local hospitals and health care organizations to identify patients to participate in the program.
