The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease wreak havoc on family life. More than seven out of ten patients live at home, with 75 percent of their care provided by family and friends. Institute Day Program, part of University Behavioral HealthCare in Piscataway, provides specialized therapy for people with dementia. It operates five days a week, from 9 am to 3 pm, with a staff of five, including coordinator Mary Catherine Lundquist, three mental health specialists, and a registered nurse. While most patients in the program have Alzheimer's, a few suffer from dementia caused by stroke.
Patients can attend every day, or a few days a week.
The day is highly structured, with activities designed to reduce isolation and build self-esteem. The cognitive orientation exercises the memory and keeps people in touch with what's happening around them, while the physical exercise encourages activity and mobility. While several state and county agencies provide subsidies for some families, others pay the entire cost themselves.