HEARTS AND MINDS ACTIVITY CENTER
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to enrich the lives of people affected by Alzheimer's and related condidtions by providing safe, nurturing, intergenerational services and support
About This Cause
The mission of Hearts & Minds Activity Center is to enrich the lives of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by providing safe, nurturing, intergenerational services and support. Hearts & Minds provides day care for hundreds of persons with dementia annually and, since 1984, over 6,500 program participants and nearly 11,000 family caregivers have been served. Hearts & Minds childcare center, opened in 1992, created the first and only on-site intergenerational program in Santa Clara County. Hearts & Minds program and facilities are designed to meet the unique needs of persons with dementia and the active program promotes social, emotional, physical and cognitive well-being. Family caregiver support and education services, along with daily respite from caregiving, reduce isolation, stress and caregiver fatigue, improve overall health for caregivers and program participants, and help families manage the tremendous financial burden of caring for someone with dementia. Hearts & Minds addresses the overwhelming need for respite care and family caregiver support caused by rapidly increasing numbers of persons diagnosed with dementia in Santa Clara County, totaling 35,314 in 2019 and estimated to increase by 31% to 45,924 by 2025. Dementia affects all generations of a family, requiring constant, 24/7 cognitive, medical and physical care. In California 1,120,000 unpaid family caregivers provide 884,000,000 hours of unpaid care valued at $18,126,000 for persons with dementia. 81% of individuals with dementia reside in a residential setting with a family caregiver, most of whom are sandwich generation women caring for children as well as a family member with dementia. The typical course of Alzheimer’s disease is 7-10 years, costing families an average of $10,000 per year. This, combined with loss of income due to reduced work hours or the need to quit work to provide care, create a funding dilemma for families who may need to choose between paying for a child’s needs or those of the family member with dementia. The complex needs of persons with dementia create barriers beyond the scope of traditional senior centers, and the cost of memory care in Santa Clara County averages over 300% higher than the cost of service at Hearts & Minds which provides reduced rates for 100% of attendees as well as scholarships for families who cannot afford care. Hearts & Minds serves a diverse population of persons living with dementia, including the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities of which dementia diagnoses are expected to at least double by 2040. Research shows that the stress of family caregiving for people with dementia is associated with high emotional strain, poor physical health outcomes, and increased mortality. Dementia specific adult day care programs like Hearts & Minds, reduce the emotional and physical stress of providing dementia care while also providing safe, effective, therapeutic, social and economical interventions for persons with dementia. Hearts & Minds strives to provide best in class, innovative, and accessible adult daycare and childcare programs, increasing capacity and hosting education and referral services to broaden positive community impact and building greater relationships with families, friends, caregivers, and service providers. Hearts & Minds accomplishes this through a robust support program and a comprehensive day/respite program for seniors with dementia. The program provides interactive therapeutic activities specific to persons with dementia, including activities that encourage physical mobility, enhance cognitive skills, stimulate social interaction on a personal and group level, stimulate creativity and a sense of purpose, and provide assistance with nutrition, personal hygiene, and stability. The intergenerational activities provided with the support of our childcare center and local high schools and universities gives our clients opportunities to emulate a natural environment with multigenerational support. Program Participants receive a range of activities in both small and large group settings, including music, art, games, exercise, writing, pet therapy, cooking, and trivia. Outside entertainment visits the center at least weekly. Activities are adapted to all levels of ability and awareness to meet the changing needs of each individual. Hearts & Minds runs three teams who design activities for individuals with differing functioning and cognitive levels with corresponding spaces, personal care, and nutrition. Caregiver support services include individual support, referral and information sessions; monthly small and large group therapeutic support sessions; quarterly educational and networking seminars. Regular communication and individual and family care conferences and consultations are the foundation of our person-centered service delivery. This includes linking caregivers with needed resources and opportunities, and helping them advocate for their own and their loved ones’ needs. Community resources are also posted on our website and distributed electronically through newsletters and social media. Hearts & Minds is currently also undertaking an expansion of services to our adjacent building to address the need for early interventions and differentiated services for an increasing number of individuals with earlier-stage diagnoses of dementia. This new facility includes a craft cafe, technology center, library, and classrooms to provide the support clients need to continue their pursuits at a higher level, without the cognitive burdens of isolation or pressure to perform. Success is measured through client and caregiver feedback as well as assessing the functioning level of each client on a biannual basis. In fiscal year 2020/21, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the virtual services provided by Hearts & Minds, 85% of Hearts & Minds Activity Center clients continued to age in place and avoid or delay institutionalization. With the support offered through our services to both clients and caregivers, we saw positive outcomes in increased levels of active virtual participation (in 2020/21, a 92% increase) and mood (93% of Clients had improved mood or affect). The long-term goal of the Hearts & Minds Activity Center is to prevent or delay the premature or inappropriate institutionalization of the individual with Alzheimer’s disease through services that support a successful home care experience. Our outcome survey, distributed to caregivers on an annual basis, measures the following short-term goals: • Caregiver’s increased ability to provide care for her/his family member: 98% • Caregiver’s increased knowledge of available community services: 91% • 89% of Caregivers rated the support they received during the shelter-in-place between Effective to Exceptional, with 40% rated as exceptional. • Of the Caregivers who attended a support group, 100% rated the experience, as effective to exceptional, with 60% rated as exceptional.