DayBreak Center invaluable for area families

The Sandpoint Area Seniors’ DayBreak Center, an adult day program for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related issues, is a valuable community resource that is helping ease the burden many families face who are caring for a memory-impaired loved one. The need is growing and recently the SASi Board of Directors agreed to add an additional day to the schedule. DayBreak is now open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

This letter from the daughter of a DayBreak participant is representative of the feelings that the families have and how helpful the program is. We, with Ms. Cowell’s encouragement, felt it important to share it with the community.

With the added day, volunteers are also needed, for an hour or several! Please call 208-265-8127 for more information or stop by for a tour.

ELLEN WEISSMAN

Sandpoint

Executive Director

Sandpoint Area Seniors, and ANNE HAYNES

Sandpoint

DayBreak Program Coordinator

•••

Dear Ms. Weissman,

When I received your fundraising letter, I felt I had to share with you what a wonderful blessing the DayBreak Center is to our family.

My mother, a multiple stroke victim with dementia, moved in with us three months ago. She is often confused and despondent and, despite our efforts to engage her in activities at home, she generally prefers to stare out the window.

Anytime we can take her out and about, her mood and willingness to engage improves. Nothing, however, has as great an impact on her as the time she spends at DayBreak. Not only is she alert and engaged when she’s there, she’s completely “present” with our family for hours after we collect her.

The loving attention from Anne, Adrianne, Emily, and the team at Day Break make her feel safe and at home, and the activities she’s compelled to join stimulate her cognitively.

Being able to depend on such exceptional care for my mom makes it possible for me to be comfortable leaving her to run errands, tend to family business, and just enjoy a moment “off duty”.

Since discovering DayBreak a month ago, my caregiving experience has been transformed. The days of respite make the other days of 24 hour care much easier to take in stride. When I consider that DayBreak is not just a benefit to me, but that it is an even greater benefit to mom, I am filled with gratitude.

We are sending a small donation and only wish it could be more! Thank you so much for your commitment to this program. It is making a tremendous difference in our family.

With warmest regards,

TINA COWELL

Bonner County