By 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 14 million.
Of that, more than 13 million will be over the age of 65.
The devastating disease leaves many in need of constant care, and puts increased pressure on those families.
But a nonprofit is aiming to change that. By returning the baby boomer generation to the 1950s and ’60s.
The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Care Centers has begun creating day centers for adults with dementia. The goal is to recreate ‘towns’ that remind patients of a happier time when they were younger.
The first center to open was based outside of San Diego, Calif., where the nonprofit is located. There are now 9 ‘Town Squares’ open across the United States, with many more in the planning stages.
The Town Squares are designed using a technique known as reminiscence therapy, which according to The Atlantic, studies have shown that the therapy improves patients’ quality of life and increases their cognitive function.
A movie theater replica features films that were shown on the big screen in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of Senior Helpers
“Adult day care gives people a chance to continue to live their life independently in their own home,” Peter Ross, the CEO of Senior Helpers, who is a partner of Glenner.
It is an opportunity to have social interaction when they want it during the week at the Town Square.”
The first location sees an average of 55 seniors daily, who are greeted by a city hall, a diner that serves meals daily. There is a movie theater, a gas station and cars from that era, including a 1959 Ford Thunderbird, Ross said.
A new addition to the Town Square aims to get the residents moving. Lane Field was a San Diego stadium built in 1936 and it’s getting its own spot in the Town Square, complete with a Wiffle ball court for the visitors.
When completed, the court will be added to the schedule that the visitors follow when there. Groups, Glenner CEO Scott Tarde said, move from room to room, ‘shopping’ in the boutique, having lunch, playing puzzles, all while enjoying the rock and roll music of the ’50s.
James Gibavitch plays pool at the pub designed to mimic the 1950s era. Photo by Sandy Huffaker
The immersive therapy helps remind the patients of things they may be slowly forgetting.
“I always like to say it’s kind of like hardwired in,” Tarde said. “It’s a lot of life’s firsts if you talk about those ages 10 to 30 — it’s graduating high school, graduating college, marriage, children, all these things and they just kind of map in.”
Joey Tennison agrees that the time there makes a difference. The 37-year-old sheriff’s deputy enrolled his mother, Susie, at Glenner’s. He and his wife had been doing all of Susie’s caregiving since she had moved in with the couple. “It strains every aspect of your life, but it’s brought our family closer,” Joey said.
After weighing the cost of hiring private care or enrolling her at Glenner, Joey chose the Town Square. Roughly $400 a week for 9 hours a day of care was well worth it, he said, and cheaper than the $20 per hour private care would have cost.
This is not just a bunch of old people sitting around a table.”
At first, his mom had a rough transition to the Town Square. She was anxious and called home constantly, Joey said. But she seemed to be comforted by the surroundings. “I don’t think she thinks she’s in the ’50s,” he said. “But it all feels familiar to her — and safe.”
Town Square’s city hall resembles a mid-20th century county-administration building in San Diego. Photo courtesy of Senior Helpers
The staff used Susie’s past – her work as an accountant – to help. They printed out spreadsheets for her to fill out and gave her a desk to work at.
“I’m not saying my mother is getting better,” Joey said. “But she has a purpose now. She even asked us to buy her new dresses because she wants to look good. She got her dignity back.”
For a look at this new way of helping those with dementia, watch below.
Sources: San Diego Union Tribune | AARP | Insider
