Which sounds better? “Let’s go, Dad. We need to get you dressed for day care.” Or “Hey, Dad – let’s get you ready. The guys at the club are waiting!”
If your Alzheimer’s afflicted dad is dragging his feet about going to day services and you need to get to work, which do you think would be more effective? It’s pretty obvious that the more respectful, dignified question would get the best response.
Whether called “day services,” “day care,” “the club” or “volunteer work” - whatever seems right for the sake of the specific elder – these services have been a well-kept secret for years. Far too many people don’t realize they have this care option.
Just for the record, I try to stay away from the “day care” term, because there is a certain stigma of childhood that goes with it. I am a proponent of treating elders with dignity – no matter how “child like” they may have become. So, I prefer the term “day services.” For more on the dignity issue, you can read “Why 'Role Reversal' and Other Catch Phrases Can Skew a Caregiver’s Thinking,” on this site.