Frequently Asked Questions
Caregivers who work outside the home who need a break from caregiving to run errands, socialize, or simply to rest. Older adults who live alone and would enjoy the friendship of others, those who still live at home but may no longer enjoy or be able to cook, those who are no longer able to drive places on their own, those who may need minimal assistance with personal care, those who do not need of 24 hour institutional care but do need assistance due to early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Our participants attend the program for several hours a day, most averaging 6 hours a day. The program is open Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm to meet a variety of needs of caregivers. The program may be used in various increments of time or days although we recommended a routine schedule of at least two to three days to receive the maximum therapeutic benefits of attendance.
Respite is most helpful to caregivers if they use it before they become exhausted, isolated, and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Respite services can be beneficial to both the caregiver and the care receiver. Caregivers need to have sufficient and regular amounts of respite time. Sporadic and short-term respite alone does not provide the help most caregivers need to prevent burnout.
Open Hands receives a variety of federal and state funding that individuals may qualify for based on their age and monthly income. We are also a provider for D & E Medicaid Wavier recipients. (To see if you are eligible for D&E Wavier call The Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 or 505-476-4846 in the NM department of Aging & Long-Term Services) If you are not eligible for any of our fully funded opportunities we do offer a sliding fee scale. Our staff will discuss options available to you during the personalized intake process.
Medicare does not cover day care costs. Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of day care costs. Long-term care insurance may also pay for adult day services, depending upon the policy. Dependent care tax credits may be available to the caregiver as well. We encourage you to check with your insurance providers and tax preparers.
Do You Offer Transportation Services To And From Your Facility?
During the intake process we will discuss transportation needs you may have. The program offers transportation to and from the program Monday through Friday within the City of Santa Fe. Our drivers will pick you in the morning, assist you door-to-door in our wheelchair accessible vans if needed and return you to your home in the afternoon. Transportation may be used one or both ways to and from the program as needed. Requests for transportation in nearby county areas will be considered on an individual basis. All of our drivers are trained in defensive driving, lifting & transferring techniques, CPR and First Aid, and a variety of areas relating to special needs of aging and Alzheimer’s to make your transportation experience safe and enjoyable.
What Type Of Activities Do You Offer?
Activities are one of the most important components of our program and we offer a wide range of activities to keep our clients socially and mentally engaged. Listed below are just a few examples:
Field trips to local:
Museums, shops, special events, churches and other cultural settings, schools, other senior facilities along with parks and gardens
Activities:
Art projects, reminiscing, in house musical performances, garden projects, sing-alongs, health and safety lectures, theme parties and celebrations, creative writing, and nutrition, education, exercise, discussion groups on a variety of monthly themes, movies and intergenerational activities with schools and groups.
Do You Offer Meals?
We have a nutritionist who consults with our kitchen staff to develop healthy menus to meet dietary requirements of our clients. We have a full commercial kitchen on location where our kitchen staff prepares fresh home cooked meals daily for breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack during our weekday program.
Our food program is sponsored by the USDA and administered through the Children Youth and Families Department, Family Nutrition Bureau.
Do you give medications to participants while at the program?
We are not able to administer any medications to individuals attending the program. However, we have found that participants are usually able to work with the prescribing physician to arrange taking their medication outside of the time they are at the program. If you need assistance in talking with the physician our nurse will be able to help you with making these arrangement during the intake process.
How do I enroll in the Adult Day Services?
To enroll in the Adult Day Services call Lisa Gonzales, ADS Program Coordinator, at 505 428-2332 or email lisag@openhands.org to schedule a tour and enrollment session.
What information should I bring when enrolling?
To get started in the program, you will first meet with our Registered Nurse for a brief assessment and with our Program Coordinator who will assist you with all intake forms. Please bring with you any legal documents that you may have for Power of Attorney or Guardianship so we may honor these correctly. Also the nurse will request a complete list of your current medications including dosages. We will need the name, address and phone number of your primary care physician and your emergency contacts. Additionally to determine if you are eligible for any of our special funding sources we will need proof of income including but not limited to your most recent income tax return, a copy of your social security award letter, proof of pensions, or a recent bank statement that shows deposits of social security income.
Still have questions about Day Services or Community Resources?
If you are considering day services, senior living options, legal issues, in home assistance or other elder needs you'll want to contact one of our friendly and experienced Eldercare Staff. Our staff can help you save hours of time and stress by narrowing your choices to locations that meet your specific needs. Let our staff help answer your questions on these important choices. Call 428-2330 for further questions or you may email questions to lgonzales@openhands.org