Getting Started with Triple-R
You Are Taking an Important Step
By enrolling in Triple-R, you will gain the satisfaction of knowing that your loved one will be surrounded by friendly companionship in a safe and enriching environment. Each day at Triple-R offers participants a sense of success and accomplishment through carefully designed activities and the friendship of other participants, staff and volunteers.
You will also know that you are taking a vitally important step to continue caring for your loved one - that is, you are taking care of yourself. These hours of respite give you a chance to let go of your caregiving responsibilities, so that you have time to do the things you need and want to do.
How to Enroll
Call the Program Coordinator at one of the Triple-R sites and request an informational packet (including our brochure, newsletter, menus, and fee scale). Or, schedule a visit to our program on your own, or with family members. When you bring your loved one to Triple-R, we recommend coming at a time when s/he can easily engage with the activities, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., or between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can visit for as long as you would like to participate, whether twenty minutes or several hours. Please note that a caregiver must be present throughout the visit.
Once you've decided to enroll, the Coordinator will work with you to schedule the intake interview, which takes about an hour and a half. An individualized care plan will be created to maximize the independence of your loved one. A non-refundable enrollment fee of $50 for initial consultations, assessments, and registration must be paid in advance of the participant's first session. You will be given several forms to complete, including a Physician's Report requiring a Tuberculosis (TB) test within the past year. The TB test results must be turned in prior to start of admission. The Physician's Report is due within thirty days after admission.
What to Expect in the Beginning
For some Participants, coming to Triple-R is an eagerly awaited "day out", where they feel able to laugh and dance once more, enjoy music and exercise, and help out in meaningful ways.
Others may initially resist coming to Triple-R because any change in routine can be unsettling for persons with memory loss or frailty. At first, your loved one may be anxious about being left at Triple-R, and need reassurance that it is a day center, not a residential home. S/he may feel unsure about how to get help, such as finding the bathroom in time. Even after the new routine is established and your loved one clearly feels happy once you arrive at the center, be prepared for comments such as, "I don't feel like going anymore", or "Why can't I just stay home?" It may also seem a great effort to get ready in the morning. Triple-R staff are trained and ready to help in these situations, simply call the site.
And sometimes, participants want to postpone going home when their caregiver comes to pick them up in the afternoon, having become so involved in this friendly new "club".
A Good Way to Begin
Participants enjoy being at Triple-R, as they grow familiar with the program and the warm friendliness of the staff. Their comfort level develops best when you establish a regular routine of coming and showing confidence about the benefits of the program. Usually after a few days at Triple-R, they find a new happiness in being part of this upbeat group.
Please relax and feel free to arrive in the morning at the time that works best for you (if it will be after 10:30 a.m., a call would be appreciated). Remember to use the Sign-In Book to indicate when your loved one will be picked up and any special instructions, such as medications or other pertinent medical/dietary reminders that will be helpful for staff.
You are encouraged to bring some photos (labeled) or items such as awards, needlework, or garden flowers that your loved one feels proud about, which can be shown to others during introductions in the morning circle. You might also write up an affectionate note that your loved one can look at during the day. Early pick-up around 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. often relieves anxiety the first day or two.
. . . And Continue
Over and over we have found that caregivers who embark on learning about the challenges their loved one is facing, become more apt to adapt to all the changes. Flexibility, positive language, a sense of humor, and support from others can make a big difference in the quality of life you share with your loved one. Please use Triple-R as your resource center, where you can find understanding and new ideas from staff, borrow books or videos from our extensive library, participate in a support group, or find out about community services.
Please also let us know about how we can better help your loved one. We want to hear your suggestions. If medications or personal needs change, please fill in the yellow "3 - Minute Update" form or New Medications form available from your Coordinator. Be sure to label all hats, coats, canes and any other personal belongings with the Participant's name.