Finding Relief

The challenges of running a business along with being a full time caregiver had Sue Sherman seeking an opportunity for her mother, who has dementia, to participate in a supervised social setting during the day.

As the primary caretaker of her parents, Richard and Marion Saulig, Sherman provides for all of their daily needs and has been dedicated to helping them live at home for the past three years. Sherman also owns and operates the Village Green Lodge in Ephraim with her husband, Steve. While helping her parents is a priority, Sherman must maintain her business. When Sherman discovered Nor Door Adult Day Services, she found a solution to help both herself and her mother.

Nor Door Adult Day Services Team Leader, Carl Shakal said, “the program allows respite for caregivers, is a safe place that’s supervised for folks who might need [direction] and provides socialization.”

Having a place for Marion to go during the day is a help to Sherman because it allows her time to concentrate on her business without worrying about her mother. The time away also benefits Marion because the program is designed for older adults seeking social activity and those with physical and cognitive disabilities, such as dementia.

The program provides a day full of meaningful activities intended to help stimulate the mind and promote camaraderie in a fun and safe social setting. They assemble puzzles, play indoor golf on a small putting green, and share laughs with fill-in-the-blank stories. Participants also enjoy lunch provided by Scandia Village.

Sherman’s experience with the program has led her to advocate for the services provided. Whether mentioning the program in passing conversations, distributing posters, calling in to local radio stations or spreading the word through social media like Facebook, Sherman is making every effort to see that the program succeeds in Door County.

The Adult Day Services, or “Senior Club” as Sherman refers to it with her mother, has been an answer to Sherman’s prayers. “Mom looks forward to and enjoys her days there. She has grown fond of her new friends. Carl and Lorraine have been wonderful. [Plus,] Dad gets some needed rest. We just need to get the word out so more people will come and the program can continue in Northern Door County.”

The program is currently held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons at the Appel Newman Building on Applewood Drive in Sister Bay. To ensure all participants’ needs are met, a brief interview is scheduled by Denise Misovec, Director of Older Americans Program. Interested participants or volunteers should contact Misovec at 920.593.3575 or [email protected].

Did you know?

• 29 percent of seniors live at their caregiver’s household, while only eight percent live in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

• 51 percent of seniors live at a home they own and three percent reside in an independent living or a retirement complex.

• A 2004 study estimated that 16 percent of American adults, or 33.9 million adult caregivers, provided unpaid care to a recipient age 50 and older. Of those caregivers, 59 percent work full or part-time while providing care. In 2009, a similar study showed the percentage of people who are caregivers has not changed significantly.

• While the number of caregivers is not changing, 11 percent of caregivers in 2009 were more likely than the five percent of 2004 caregivers to avail themselves with supportive respite services.

Sources: “National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP,” Caregiving in the U.S., December 2009 and April 2004