What is SHARP and what does it offer to my loved ones?
Who is eligible to participate in the SHARP program?
What activities does SHARP have?
What kind of staffing does SHARP provide?
What kind of help and support does SHARP offer to caregivers?
Can SHARP help younger, newly diagnosed individuals, who don’t yet exhibit symptoms?
How much does SHARP cost?
What do caregivers say about SHARP?

What is SHARP and what does it offer my loved ones?

SHARP stands for Selfhelp Alzheimer’s Resource Program. It is a Social Adult Day Care Program of supervised recreation where people with a medical diagnosis of memory and cognitive impairment can be together in a social environment. SHARP approaches each individual as a valued, mature adult enhancing self-esteem and promoting success. In a non-medical atmosphere, the program focuses on preserving and maximizing the healthy and positive aspects of the personality and the capabilities that remain.

Who is eligible to participate in the SHARP program?

The program is open to any individual with a medical diagnosis of early or middle stage memory loss and dementia who is group appropriate for four hours of a social day program.

What activities does SHARP have?

There are individual and group activities which offer social, physical, and cognitive stimulation which enable participants to remain alert, involved, and in contact with the world around them. Specifically, there are music, exercise, discussion groups, sports oriented games, word/trivia games, art, and group celebrations of holidays and special events.

What kind of staffing does SHARP provide?

The SHARP professional staff includes recreation specialists, a social worker and a certified home health aide. These highly dedicated and caring staff members are assisted by carefully trained and supervised volunteers, who have demonstrated extraordinary responsiveness to the needs of persons with dementia

What kind of help and support does SHARP offer to caregivers?

Caregivers receive emotional support, information and assistance on an ongoing basis and in times of crisis from our staff. In addition, SHARP offers caregiver support groups, in which family members are encouraged to participate and share common problems and experiences. The SHARP Adult Day Care Program itself, offers primary caregivers hours of relief and respite, by providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for their loved ones several days per week.

Can SHARP help younger, newly diagnosed individuals, who don’t yet exhibit symptoms?

Yes. SHARP recognizes the importance of early intervention. Therefore, we schedule weekly therapeutic support and informational groups for newly-diagnosed, early-stage individuals. They include social, educational and recreational activities.

How much does SHARP cost?

In order to maintain the high quality of service, our program depends on participant contributions; however services will never be denied because of financial hardship. Staff will assist families in determining what is fair and affordable for them.

What do caregivers say about SHARP?

"Your program is the highlight of my father's life. It is the only thing he looks forward to. My thanks to you all.

"You give us caregivers a break these hours each day which makes all the difference in restoring our tolerance? How can I thank you for all that?"

"You made my mother feel important: she felt as though she was still contributing to something."

"I appreciated the structure you gave to my mother's days. Mother never sat glued to the TV set like so many people with her affliction. I honestly believe that mother's Alzheimer's disease progressed as slowly as it did because you forced her to continually use the faculties she had - to their limits. You gave her the impression that she was still worthwhile."

"Thank you for making my life a lot easier to live."