Bright Horizons is true to its name as it helps seniors remain in their homes longer with independent programs that stimulate the brain.
“The hope is that not only will this contribute to their well being, but also help them retain active brain function and connections to hopefully slow down that process of Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said Bright Horizons director Kristin Vivian. “We do really find that people are more communicative with their families, because they’ve had a purpose to their day. They have something going on, and it is just a happy, fun place to be.”
The program, run under the Colonie Senior Service Centers, was designed about 30 years ago the fit the needs of one senior citizen who needed a program like this. From there, it has grown into three locations beyond the program at Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle in Colonie. Locations in Latham, Guilderland and Clifton Park help the Service Centers suit the needs of more seniors.
Serving over nearly 150 members, Bright Horizons includes programs like exercise through dancing to Elvis Presley songs, playing volleyball with pool noodles and bowling on a Wii gaming system. Members can garden in the spring and play indoor golf in the winter.
The purpose of these activates, Vivian said, is to stimulate socialization and brain function in a safe, supervised environment. Rather than going into an assisted living home long before needed, a senior showing early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s can go to Bright Horizons while caregivers run errands or spend time with family.
“We’re kind of the beginning point of the care journey,” said Vivian. “We are sort of that first step they can take to provide a safe and fun environment for their loved ones, where they can be supervised and looked after. This finds a balance between keeping (seniors) at home independently, or sort of independently, and allowing them to sort of have their own things going on.”
The schedule is based around what individuals want to do, rather than a set hour-by-hour itinerary. And if a senior wants to do an activity, like a craft, program officials are sure to keep supplies on hand.
“There are so many different activities happening, so it’s not like, okay, it’s one o’clock, time to exercise. It’s really considerate to people’s individual interests. You’ll come in here and there’ll be so many things going on,” said Kelsey Butz, communications specialist for the Service Centers.
The activities help boost cognitive functions by having seniors remain more active than they would sitting at home alone. Vivian said that she has found that the opportunity to socialize has made some seniors more stimulated and active at home, since they now have something to talk about at the dinner table.
And while delaying the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the program also helps the transition from an independent home or caretaker to assisted living, or a senior home. Bright Horizons is a social model program, so the staff does not provide medical services, but staff members do have experience in a senior-based setting.
Being in Bright Horizons, either daily or once a week, introduces seniors to certain aspects of socialization and programs that might be found in an assisted living or nursing home, said Senior Services Executive Director Ed Neary.
“One of the things people have told us is that it helps the transition into nursing homes because of a program like this, as opposed to going from their homes into a nursing home. There’s less resistance. They get used to it a little more quickly. Here, they’re more used to being in a community setting,” Neary said.
There are also cameras so that caregivers can look in on parents or grandparents, especially when the member lives independently. Neary said that one daughter of a Bright Horizons member lives two hours from Colonie. She uses the web cameras to make sure her mother, who uses public transportation, gets to the center safely.
“It gives her that extra bit of comfort,” said Neary. He said that children also like to log on and see their parents having a good time.
“Seniors come to the program, and they feel that this is their program. It’s a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging. And they have friends. They look forward to coming and being with people they enjoy,” Vivian said.
For more information on Bright Horizons, or any programs under the Colonie Senior Service Centers, go to www.colonieseniors.org, or call 459-2857.
