SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A program aimed to help seniors stay active and maintain their independence will be offered in the new year in Yellowknife.

Michele Ray-Jones: Director of care with Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, will begin offering an Adult Day Program in January.

The Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors is launching the Adult Day Program on Jan. 4 at Aven Cottages Territorial Dementia Facility.

"This really helps people to maintain more independence and to plateau their cognitive decline if that's possible," said Michele Ray-Jones, director of care with the association.

"People might actually be able to stay in their home, keeping a lot more of their autonomy and self-worth."

The program is for people over the age of 60 who are living in the community and in need of support or some company, according to Ray-Jones. The primary target for the program are people with dementia but it will be open to other people with physical disabilities who require someone to take care of them.

The clients will participate in the program at Aven Cottages during the day and return to their homes in the evening.

"It's a difficult transition to go into a care facility - as beautiful as it is. You're living in one room with 13 people you don't know. The staff are wonderful and some of the residents have made great friendships but it is not the same as being within your family."

The territorial government provided space for the program as part of the Territorial Dementia Facility capital project.

"This program has been on the drawing board for a long time and the need has been there," said Bill Braden, the association's president. "A large benefit will be not only be to the people who enter the program but to their families."

According to Ray-Jones, people most likely to be accepted into the day program are those who are looked after by their children and must work during the week, or by their spouses who might be experiencing their own health issues.

"Lots of times people get their days and nights mixed up as their disease is progressing," said Ray-Jones. "This is exhausting for family members trying to care for someone who is up five or six times a night, and they are concerned if they are being leaving the house with no coat on or if they are cooking and going to start a fire."

The program will cost $25 a day, have two care staff on hand and will run five days a week.

Those enrolled in the program will be able to participate in various activities, such as events with residents from Aven Manor and Aven Cottages such as singalongs, bowling and bingo.

"What we will do, once people arrive and we get to know them, is tailor the activities specially to what people want to do and enjoy," said Ray-Jones. "But in the meantime we have some sample activities for them to try."

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