At Bath-Brunswick Respite Care, eight members of the program affectionately known as “the club” sit in a circle as a large blue balloon floats through the air, accompanied by the sounds of laughter and the song “Walking in Memphis,” by Marc Cohn.
The balloon toss, with the inevitable scrambles to keep it from touching the ground, is a favorite activity at the program, so much so that a chorus of groans followed the announcement that there was only a minute left.
“Barely a day goes by that we don’t do it,” said Cathy Bagdon, senior program manager. “If it gets toward the end of the day and we haven’t done it, we get complaints.”
This activity, and every other activity at the program, provides socialization and stimulation for adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments, while giving their caregivers a much-needed break.
“It’s a great opportunity for people on this journey to make meaningful connections. People look forward to coming to see their friends,” Bagdon said. “It’s a special club for special people to meet.”
This Tuesday in June marked one of the first times the program had met on that day of the week. In late May, the program expanded to five days per week for the first time in its 30-year history, part of an effort to meet a rising need for respite care.
The program, in a former hospital at 9 Park St. in Bath, serves members from throughout the Midcoast, often including residents of Harpswell.
Bath-Brunswick Respite Care, now a nonprofit, began in 1989 as a “kitchen table business,” Bagdon said. It was founded by two women who were caregivers and realized they and their friends needed a break. The organization has grown and evolved, but still serves its original purpose 35 years later.
Karen Leveille, whose husband attends the program four days a week, said being a caregiver is “very lonely.”
“This is the hardest job I’ve ever done,” Leveille said. “We can’t do the job unless we are in a pretty satisfied state of mind, and you got to take care of the caregiver.”
The program allows Leveille, of Bath, to catch up with chores, spend time with friends, and make greeting cards — her favorite hobby.
Of adults age 45 or older in Maine, 22.3% report providing regular care to a friend or family member, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These caregivers often neglect their own needs. For example, 36.7% of caregivers report insufficient sleep, according to the CDC.
“It’s one of those jobs that everyone is doing out of extreme love for their people, but everybody needs to be able to step away for a minute,” said Ashley Butterfield, operations coordinator for Bath-Brunswick Respite Care. “It’s just an opportunity to have some recharge time.”
The organization also provides free in-person and virtual support groups to give caretakers a place to share their experiences.
The Senior Day Program tailors activities to each individual, filling their time with physical and mental exercise, meaningful projects, and friendship. The average day involves a coffee social, word games, old television shows, and a physical activity such as cornhole, bowling, or the popular balloon toss.
Occasionally, a guest will come in and work with members. The Bath Garden Club has taught the art of flower arranging, Bowdoin College’s Meddiebempsters a cappella group has performed, and a therapy dog named Ellie has comforted the participants.
“They provide the appropriate activities and games, and camaraderie amongst the other adults that attend there,” Leveille said. “It’s much more than I could ever offer him during the day.”
Jay McCreight, a board member and Harpswell resident, said she loves to see the community aspect of the center and the support members show for one another.
Bagdon said the worst disease among older adults is “loneliness and isolation.”
“People look forward to coming to see their friends,” Bagdon said. “I’ve heard people say that after a few weeks of their loved one attending, they’re much brighter and more alert.”
The program promises not to turn anyone away for inability to pay. This includes helping families with funding options, either through the state or the program itself.
Every year, the number of dementia cases worldwide rises by more than 10 million, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. Jim Parmentier, president of Bath-Brunswick Respite Care’s board, said most people do not think about these neurological diseases until they affect someone in their family.
“It’s an incredible burden that is only slowly coming to be understood by the population of our country,” Parmentier said.
Despite the new fifth day, the program is reaching what Butterfield called “waitlist territory.” The possibility for further expansion hinges on the number of volunteers, and the program is in search of a new director.
For now, Bath-Brunswick Respite Care will continue fulfilling its mission to provide “supportive care to individuals and families who face the disabilities of aging.”
“We have a lot of fun. We believe laughter is the best medicine,” Bagdon said. “We just want to continue to offer the very best programming that we can and do a good job with what we do.”
For more information, go to respite-care.org.
