New pilot program allows families to exchange service hours for care

Our kids do it for daycare. Even grocery stores do it. So in a bold new initiative, San Francisco’s renowned Institute on Aging recently launched a coop program for older adults and others with dementia.

Called the Community Cooperative Adult Day Program (CCADP), the pilot program offers family members and other caregivers a chance to help out with activities specifically targeted for those living with dementia.

“I’m so excited to launch this,” said Alison Moritz, program director for the IOA’s Enrichment Center who runs the onsite dementia care program and spearheaded the idea. “I haven’t seen anything like it in the world, even in the Netherlands, and they do everything right.”

The program allows families who qualify to receive low or nocost care for their loved ones in exchange for service hours. Caregivers, including family members, paid helpers, even neighbors and friends can take turns helping in the programs, located on the grounds of the Presidio in San Francisco. The tasks include everything from helping prepare meals to running activities.

“There is art, music, movies, exercise — including walks on the beautiful Presidio grounds — and the clients can pick what

they want to do,” Moritz said. “This is not an oldfashioned Alzheimer’s treatment center.”

The program received funding from the Stupski Foundation, so currently the cost of the program is free to participants for the first year. After that the cost will be minimal, Moritz said, from $30$60 per day.

Besides helping those adults with dementia, the main thing the CCADP aims to do is avoid caregiver burnout.

“It’s been tough to see the dramatic drop in the wellbeing of individuals with dementia and their families,” Moritz said. “The lack of socialization, not

being able to leave the house and the burnout of care partners has been really hard. We’re ecstatic to be able to finally reopen our doors again and help these folks regain a semblance of normalcy.

A benefit of the coop program is that one day a family member can help out and another day someone else can.

“I’ve had caregivers say this will save their lives,” Moritz said.

For more information or to enroll your loved one in the program, contact the IOA at 4157504111 or Moritz directly at 4157289260.