Ethel Roberts is no stranger to the tragedy of Alzheimer’s Disease. She spent 25 years working in a nursing home.
Though she now is retired, Roberts volunteers two afternoons a week as an activity assistant at Daybreak East, a social activity program for adults afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related memory disorder. The program operates under the auspices of Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc. (KAFASI).
“We play cards and games and provide activities for all program participants,” Roberts said. “We do what we can to make life happier for them. You have to treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself.”
Because members of the group are in early to middle stages of the disease, activities are planned accordingly, she said. When craft projects are on the schedule, they are simple and easy to do.
“The people in the group are not always able to follow directions and their hands are not very nimble,” Roberts said. “But today we made shamrocks.”
A favorite game for the group, usually 8 to 11 adults, is bingo which is played in a variety of ways and offered weekly, according to Roberts. Reminiscing, memory & questions along with other mind-stimulating games like Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee and Pictionary are also offered. Prizes, such as stuffed animals, are a big hit for the winners. Candy is also a popular prize and Roberts notes that the staff always keeps sugar-free candy on hand for the diabetics in the group.
Though the main Daybreak East program is located at Wesley United Methodist Church, 4600 60th Street, outside activities are also an important part of the schedule. For instance, they go bowling or fishing. They sometimes visit places like the Racine Zoo or go on picnics.
A similar program, Daybreak West, serves the western Kenosha County at the Westosha Community Center, 19200 93rd Street, (Hwy. C) in Bristol.
Ethel and her late husband, Hayman, moved to Kenosha from western Wisconsin in 1964. He was employed by Arco Auto and she was busy raising three children, Gary, Diane and Jane.
After her husband’s death in 1978, Ethel went to Gateway Technical College and earned a Licensed Practical Nursing degree. With that skill, she got a job at Sheridan Nursing Home and stayed there until her retirement in 2000. Prior to earning her LPN, she worked at the nursing home as an aide.
Ethel, now 79, began volunteering in May of 2002. Since then she has logged more than 860 hours at KAFASI. Besides her regular service at Daybreak East, she serves on the Daybreak Advisory Council and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She is also active in the First United Methodist Church.
Dana Tehako-Esser, KAFASI’s Volunteer Services Coordinator, needs more dedicated volunteers like Ethel Roberts. Daybreak and other KAFASI programs rely heavily on volunteers to keep them running. For adults in early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, Daybreak offers trained and caring staff in a safe, friendly environment.
Planned activities stimulate the Alzheimer’s patient with exercise, music, gardening and creative projects, while individual attention promotes self esteem. The fee per day is $42 and limited scholarships are available for those who need financial help.
Though programs are geared to helping adults who suffer from memory disorders, a key benefit is respite and peace of mind for those who need temporary relief from their responsibility as caregivers.
Daybreak offers support groups for caregivers, as well as information and referral to other community resources.
Daybreak East operates from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number is 262-657-8089 and the e-mail address is daybreakeast@sbcglobal.net. Daybreak West also has five sessions a week, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number is 262- 857-4481 and the e-mail address is daybreakwest@wi.rr.com.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, call Tehako-Esser at 262-658-3508 ext. 120 or e-mail her at volunteer@mcleodusa.net.
