Caring for a loved one can be challenging, but for Santashae Ascento, the joy of helping others makes it all worthwhile.

The chartered physiotherapist is the new head of Westmeath’s recently revived daycare programme, which had been shuttered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Ms Ascento, the scheme has a renewed focus on therapeutic care.

There is music and art, and a range of classes designed for stimulation. Lunch and snacks are provided, and there are also daily therapy sessions and regular outings.

It comes at a cost of $100 per day with the option to attend Monday through Friday or drop in as needed.

“We were finding that there were a number of seniors at home who weren't quite ready for full-time care. Families needed a bit of a respite but didn't want [their loved ones] to be left at home, whether it was because of safety reasons or social isolation. We found that this programme was definitely a necessity,” said Ms Ascento, who joined Westmeath Residential & Nursing Care Home as its therapeutic activities co-ordinator in 2023.

“It allows me to do everything I love. I have a love for seniors. I love interacting with people. I get to kick over to my physio hat when needed and I get to help people ― even if they want to just go and get a haircut. Just being here and providing them with experiences, providing a listening ear, and helping them to do things they haven't been able to do all this time is what gives me the most joy.”

At the moment, seven people are enrolled; however, the Therapeutic Day Programme has the capacity to accommodate as many as 20.

The “mixed population” consists of individuals who need assistance with walking and those with dementia. In order to join, people must be able to use the bathroom on their own or know to ask for assistance.

“As long as the individual is medically well and able to engage with us, we are happy to have them,” Ms Ascento said.

While the Pembroke rest home previously ran a successful daycare programme for seniors before the pandemic, the existing offering has been modified to better suit present needs.

“The [changes were made] just based on us looking at the things that they previously used to be able to do, and those things are just not appropriate for the individuals who need daycare at this time,” she said.

“The difference is that this programme is a therapeutic programme. This programme has to have elements of music, art and physical therapy every single day.

“The whole purpose of this programme is to stimulate, keep them engaged, create a space where they can socially interact with others, and just be themselves.”

There are families who send their loved ones every week, while others use the programme as needed to give caregivers a break, allow for family trips, and provide temporary support during times of illness, work commitments or personal obligations.

“The family know that they're in a safe environment Monday to Friday, while they're having a little bit of time to themselves because you'll be surprised how many families have no one to give them that bit of relief.”

It’s a simple process to sign up. While there is space at the moment, Ms Ascento says that because there is limited capacity, anyone who is interested should reach out “as soon as possible”.

“Every rest home has a waiting list. Obviously, respite is a little bit different because they're not going to be here full time, but we still need to make sure that we have an allocated space to put them and create a care plan for them.”

As for the day programme, an e-mail or a call is all that is needed to set participation in motion.

Ms Ascento typically offers a tour to people so they can see “where their loved one is going to be spending the day” and what they will be engaged in.

Regular calendars and newsletters are sent out and, “to keep people in the loop”, activities and celebrations are posted on Facebook and Instagram.

“I've had someone show up with the door on Monday morning saying, ‘Hey, I have no caregivers. I need to go to work. Can you help us?’ We'll take you through the registration process, which takes no longer than five minutes; we'll get all the necessary background [information] to ensure your loved one is safe ― all the emergency contracts, things like that ― and then we'll welcome them in.”

Medical records and dietary needs are stored, and both a cognitive and physical assessment are conducted to evaluate the health and specific requirements of each incoming individual.

“It's all about creating the environment for them to thrive. Evidence shows that activity, both mentally and physically, can delay the onset of symptoms of dementia.

“It also can delay social isolation and different things like that as well. So it's really a good thing to see,” Ms Ascento said.

“Sometimes we have people who come on Day 1 and they're quiet, they don't really talk much, but by the end of a week … we call it a big tea party – five, six, seven ladies in a room.

“It's a tea party. It's fun. You know, we try to make it as fun as possible. I just give them as many experiences as I can.”

• For more information on Westmeath’s day programme: 295-2451 ext 5, santashae@westmeath.bm or www.westmeath.bm