After Randy Isley was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease last year, the 57-year-old Beloit man became socially isolated.
While his family and peers remained active, he no longer could handle the simple tasks of operating the TV’s remote, answering the phone or fishing alone. Instead, he became more dependent on his wife.
“He doesn’t know what to do,” said Robin Isley.
But that’s changed now that Randy has become a participant of KANDU’s Day Services/Memory Care Program, the only state-certified adult day program in Rock County that serves nondisabled people, said Jennie Krajeck, development coordinator.
The program, housed at KANDU’s Adel Street facility, has a 40-person capacity. Currently, 32 are enrolled. While some attend half-day sessions, others attend full days of their choice between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, except holidays.
“It’s whatever works best,” said Jeannie Randles, program/human resources director at KANDU.
Activities on any given day can include personal care, exercise, a morning walk and break, discussion on various topics, a nutritious lunch, field trips and rest time, Randles said.
In addition to providing a safe and secure place for their loved ones, the day services/memory care program also provides much needed respite for participants’ caregivers.
“It gives me relief,” said Robin, who continues to work full time and care for teenage children at home while Randy attends the program three days a week.
“He focuses in on me when we’re at home, and he’s always waiting for me to tell him what he should do,” Robin said.
Connie Snape, daughter of 79-year-old program participant Lois Snape of Darien, said the need is a tremendous for this day services/memory care program.
“It helps my dad have a day to himself and not have to worry about every detail. As mom’s caregiver, he has taken on almost every duty. This is a wonderful place, and Mom enjoys it because it allows her to have some independence,” she said.
Bud Kumlien of Janesville also praised the local program in which his wife of 61 years is enrolled.
“It was a godsend,” he said. “Without this place, I’d probably be a candidate for the nut house. I do all the shopping and laundry plus take care of all her other (personal) needs.”
Without KANDU’s program, Kumlien said he would have had no other choice but to put Margaret in a nursing home, something he doesn’t want to do.
“She needs more stimulation than that,” he said.
She gets that at KANDU in a homelike atmosphere, with an individualized service plan, group and individual activities, and through new friendships with staff, volunteers and other program participants. The program also includes certified nursing assistants who are trained in medication administration and CPR, plus a music therapist, which Margaret loves because she is a pianist.
The physical, mental and social aspects of KANDU’s program are important for participants, Randles said.
“It allows the individuals to participate in things they enjoy now or in the past. It’s socialization and allows them to get up, move around and utilize their brain and body,” she said.
Tammy Pence, acting executive director of the Alzheimer’s Support Center, agreed:
“Research shows that individuals who are physically and cognitively engaged, it slows the memory loss process of the disease.”
KANDU services
KANDU no longer can be summed up as a sheltered workshop.
“It’s a vocational training center for people who have disabilities and more,” said Gary Bersell, executive director.
Jennie Krajeck, development coordinator, agreed: “We are far more than what we used to be. We have expanded our programs to meet the needs of not only the disabled population, but of the community.”
They include:
– Return to Work Program—Provides both therapeutic and economic benefits to people who are injured while working. Partnerships with employees, employers, medical practitioners, insurance carriers and agents have consistently produced win-win results. KANDU’s staff and services, including an on-site nurse, are beneficial in handling the most challenging injury cases. People injured on the job are referred by an agency that has a service contract with KANDU or through a private payment plan.
– Supported Community Employment Program—Provides job coaching, specialized job training and placement plus individually tailored supervision for people who have not traditionally had competitive employment and, because of the nature of their disability, need support services in order to perform their job.
– Navigator Transition Program—Provides skills and competencies to individuals—students and displaced workers—to prepare them for employment.
– Vocational services—Provides people with barriers to employment who require on-going additional supervision, training and support through KANDU’s catering services and production line. (source)