Statements
Mission
Elders First Adult Day Services, DBA Mindful Care Adult Day Services strives to preserve the highest possible quality of life for people, age 55 and up, who have early-onset to mid-stage Alzheimer's and other frailties of age--while, at the same time, giving their caregivers a much-needed break from the stress and exhaustion of 24/7 caregiving.
We work with our participants to provide a safe and caring environment that (1) promotes independence, self-esteem, individuality, and dignity for impaired senior adults and (2) enhances the quality of life for seniors and their caregivers. Mindful Care Adult Day Services allows the afflicted person to remain at home while becoming a "second family" that provides fellowship and friendship. Families want their loved ones to remain at home, but they also need rest from the daily rigors of caregiving. The program, through activities, exercises and periodic testing, maximizes remaining functional and cognitive skills according to the needs of individual participants. The vast majority of adults in the U.S. who receive long-term care at home receive all of their care exclusively from unpaid family and friends. Providing this care, however, can exact a high cost. Family members commonly face health risks, financial burdens, emotional strain, mental health problems, workplace issues, retirement insecurity, and lost opportunities. The program strives to keep family caregivers healthy and able to provide care so that families remain together with their loved ones, thus avoiding more expensive alternatives. Mindful Care actually serves two groups--those cared for and the caregiver. It must be said that in the year 2020, Mindful Care added a virtual program and music therapy.
Background
Elders First Adult Day Services was organized in Rutherford Co. for the charitable purpose of establishing an adult daytime care facility to assist persons with Alzheimer's disease, dementia disorders, and other frailties of age. We place a special emphasis on providing loving and compassionate care, acceptance of each individual, and providing the opportunity for moments of joy throughout each day. Through a cooperative effort between Elders First and a Leadership Rutherford Team from the Rutherford Co. Chamber of Commerce, a doing business as (DBA) name and identity was developed and adopted. Mindful Care Adult Day Services has been the new name for Elders First since May 2013. Many aging individuals require assistance with activities of daily living, but residency in an institution may not be appropriate. Mindful Care Adult Day Services provides the opportunity for supervised socialization and activities for older family members in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment as part of the home and community-based continuum of care. This day center enables the participants to live their lives with dignity and respect while providing respite to their caregivers and an accompanying reduction of caregiver stress. When a disease such as Alzheimer's strikes, or when another disorder takes its toll, most of us hope to remain living at home. Families make every effort to help elderly loved ones. Family caregivers are frequently overworked as they juggle many added duties. They need relief. Elders benefit from mental stimulation and social time spent with others. They need opportunities. Adult day services programs throughout the nation are providing a win-win solution for families. Background: In 1997, New Day Adult Day Care was established at The Guidance Center in Murfreesboro with Martina E. O'Brien as one of the founders. Then, in 1999, the St. Clair Street Senior Center Adult Day Services program, initiated by Martina E. O'Brien, began to provide day care services for person's dealing with Alzheimer's disease, other dementia and additional disabilities of age. After more than seven years of serving the community, it became apparent that an additional facility would allow for provision of services to care-giving families who were on the waiting list, and increased programming options for the participants. The concept of Elders First Adult Day Services was born. The name, Mindful Care, was adopted in 2013 to put a fresh face on the program.
Impact
Mindful Care offers opportunities to persons age 55+ with dementia and other impairments to engage in a program of meaningful social and therapeutic activities in a supportive setting to improve their quality of life and promote health and happiness. The program maximizes remaining functional and cognitive skills according to the needs of individual participants. The program provides relief to family members and other primary caregivers of these individuals so that caregivers remain healthier and able to provide care at home. Families are able to remain together with their loved ones, avoiding more expensive alternatives. The program is in its 15th year in Rutherford Co. Elders return home from our program site to the loving arms of their family at the end of the day. Older adults' quality of life is maintained or improved by (1) incorporating meaningful activity into daily lives, (2) maintaining independence, (3) participating in planned activities to foster important social connections (4) promoting memory function, and (5) sustaining physical wellness.
Mindful Care offers financial support when possible. From Jan. 2022 thru June 2022, Mindful Care served 12 participants, for a total of 703 visits. A total of $2,880 was utilized for our Fee Assistance program for one participant to attend 33 days during that period.. Fee Assistance provided another $540 for a family financially struggling. In addition, two families took advantage of our special "Five Free Day" campaign, in which Mindful Care foot the bill for $250 per family or $500. About 3,500-plus people with Alzheimer's disease are living at home in Rutherford Co. Evidence-based research demonstrates the positive results of daytime, community-based programs such as Mindful Care..
Dr. Steven Zarit, in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences stated, 'Adult Day Services programs engage people in stimulating and therapeutic activities during the day. The positive benefits of these activities carry over when clients go home. They are more relaxed and sleep better after a day of meaningful activity.' Zarit added that the amount of improvement in behavior and mood is similar to, or greater than the available medications for persons with dementia, 'though without the negative side effects.' Mindful Care is a Community Investment Partner with United Way and a third annual grant was approved in 2017 for our project, "Aging in Place - A Physical Exercise Program." 64% of our current caregivers responded that their participant's physical abilities (getting up from a chair, walking, balance, flexibility) improved during attending the program. Physical testing on a bimonthly basis has shown steady slight improvement in participant abilities. Other results from our most recent in-house caregiver survey showed: 88% of caregivers said that the program helped prevent or delay nursing home placement or other more costly in-home services; 100% of caregivers reported improvement in their loved one's social and emotional health. 90% noticed some slowing of the participant's further cognitive decline. Cognitive testing also is showing that participants decline is very slow when they are enrolled in the program long-term. 100% said that the Mindful Care program improved the quality of life of their participant. In an on-line article, March 19, 2014, in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, researchers at Penn State and the University of Texas at Austin assert that their study has demonstrated that family caregivers show an increase in the beneficial stress hormone DHEA-S on days when they use an adult day services for their relatives with dementia. 'Better long-term health is associated with DHEA-S controlling the harmful effects of cortisol...' 'These findings suggest that use of adult day services may protect caregivers against the harmful effects of stress.
Needs
Mindful Care will require funding throughout the year to continue these specific ongoing therapeutic programs: (1) Music Therapy - musical rhythm instruments, recordings, and applied staff time; (2) Therapeutic creative projects - craft materials and applied staff time to implement; (3) Exercise Program - exercise equipment and applied staff time to put into action. We are working to improve / maintain our participants' balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength to help prevent falls and maintain their abilities; (4) Nutritional snack items and cooking projects enhance healthy food choices; (5) Cognitive/Memory exercise program targets cognition and applied staff time necessary to implement; (6) Continued funding is also needed for the in-house Family Fee Assistance Program. During our 2022 thus far, 2 slots were supported through Fee Assistance by grants from the CFMT and Charity Circle of Murfreesboro. With additional funds, this program continues. The Fee Assistance funds needed for 2 full time slots is $10,000. Volunteers are welcome at Mindful Care. We have had student interns from MTSU (sociology, gerontology, psychology). We are very appreciative of the folks who donate their time to the program. We have openings available.
CEO Statement
Statement by founder Martina O'Brien:
My dedication to this organization is very personal, based in large part on the wonderful relationships that I was fortunate to have with my grandparents when I was growing up. I am fascinated by elders and dedicated to providing moments of joy in their lives. Providing opportunities and loving care for persons with memory loss is my passion. Elders First, now called Mindful Care Adult Day Services, serves Rutherford and surrounding counties. It assists caregiving families of elderly persons who have memory loss or physical impairment that prohibits independent functioning. The participants experience a variety of activities during the day that stimulate memory, assist in relationship building, strengthen muscles, promote creativity, and foster a positive and hopeful attitude toward life. Throughout the day, supervision is constant, assistance is provided as needed. Additional guiding principles are: Caring with a servant's heart, Healing for the mind, body and spirit, Loving with respect and without reservation, and Creating a culture of mindfulness, wisdom, justice and peace as described by Erie Chapman, former CEO of the Baptist Healing Trust. These concepts provide essential guidance in the delivery of our program with compassion and loving care. The case for professional adult day care for those devastated by Alzheimer's disease and other frailties of age is clear. 1. According to the TN Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet, one in eight (12.5%) people age 65+ suffer from Alzheimer's or a related dementia. This means that in Rutherford Co. alone, there are an estimated 3,200 persons suffering from Alzheimer's. 2. The State of Tennessee ranks 50th (perhaps a little better this year) in provision of home and community-based care for its older citizens (AARP 2009). This is a shocking statistic that continues to be verified year after year. 3. The most recent Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, gave these annual costs for care in Middle Tennessee: * Home Care (with home health aide) - $54,912 * Assisted Living Facility - $51,600 * Nursing Home Care (semi-private room) - $93,075/private room: $105,850 * Adult Day Health Care - $19,240 The annual cost for 250 days at Mindful Care (with discount) is $10,000 to $11,000. 4. One in 4 family caregivers dies before the individual with Alzheimer's disease. The emotional, physical and financial stress that caregivers endure plays a major role in their deteriorating health (Alz. Association ).
Board Chair Statement
Several years ago, my wife and I became caregivers to my mother-in-law for six months when she suddenly suffered a presumed stroke and became completely dependent. I remember how exhausting, how exasperating it all was. Taking care of my impaired mother-in-law was draining on all of us. (Our two daughters were in elementary school.) Occasionally a woman from the church would volunteer to stay with her so that my wife and I could escape for an hour or so. And that short time we had to go shopping or walking in the park was a greater gift than money could buy. We were extremely grateful to that dear lady who gave 60 minutes of her day so that we could have a break. That 60 minutes was gold. The point of this story is not to hold ourselves up as heroes. We did what any of you would do for your loved ones, if circumstances made it possible. And our tenure as caregivers was relatively brief. My point is simply this: None of us ever knows when we might suddenly be called upon to fulfill the demanding role of a family caregiver. Some of you may already fulfill that role. Caregiving isn't a role we train for, and most of us are not equipped emotionally to handle the awesome challenges of providing 24/7 care. While our own caregiving ordeal was only six months long acknowledging that many people face years of caregiving responsibility it was long enough to experience the strain on ourselves and on our relationship with one another. It was also long enough to appreciate the role of an organization like Mindful Care Adult Day Services, which provides compassionate, supervised care for people age 55 and older who are afflicted with mild Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The mission of Mindful Care is to slow down the process of mental attrition to enhance the lives of those afflicted with memory impairment with large doses of love and joy and to help their family caregivers maintain a healthy balance in their own lives. According to findings in the 2009 Evercare Survey by United Healthcare, stress was one of the key reasons caregivers felt their own health was at risk. An article titled "The Caregiving Boomerang," in the June 2010 issue of Newsweek, pointed out that clinical studies show that long-term caregivers are at high risk for sleep deprivation, immune-system deficiency, depression, chronic anxiety, loss of concentration and premature death. A recent survey taken by Mindful Care families revealed the following: 100% of the surveyed caregivers said that the program helped prevent or delay nursing home placement or other more costly in-home services. 88% of caregivers responded that their participant's physical abilities (getting up from a chair, walking, balance, flexibility) improved during attending the program. Physical testing on a bimonthly basis has shown steady slight improvement in participant abilities. 88% of caregivers reported improvement in their loved one's social and emotional health. 88% noticed some slowing of the participant's further cognitive decline. Cognitive testing also is showing that participants decline is very slow when they are enrolled in the program long-term. 100% said that the Mindful Care program improved the quality of life of their participant. Tom Tozer
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Health Care - Patient & Family Support |
| Secondary Category: | Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines - Geriatrics |
| Tertiary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - Mental Health Disorders |
Areas Served
Mindful Care ADS is intended to serve residents of Rutherford and surrounding counties. All persons from other counties are welcome at the Center. Zip codes in Rutherford Co. include 37130, 37127, 37128, and 37129.
Mindful Care does not furnish transportation for family members. Therefore, our reach is limited to a reasonable distance from our program. If a family farther away can transport a loved one to and from the program, we welcome him or her.
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Davidson |
