Salsa at 3 a.m.?
This morning,
Good Morning America ran a segment about a program that allows patients with Alzheimer's or dementia to stay active all night long.
The program, which is billed as the first of its kind, takes place in the Hebrew Home for the Aged, Riverdale, N.Y. It addresses the insomnia that often occurs with Alzheimer's or dementia and old age, according to the article on ABCNews.com.
The 11-year-old program offers various activities--from salsa dancing to art class and even field trips to restaurants and movie theaters--for patients with dementia every night of the week, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The program also provides van service to pick up patients and bring them to the facility.
Because Medicare and Medicaid cover the program, it can help alleviate the financial burden that families can incur from providing nightly nursing supervision to patients.
While the program is widely supported by the state of New York, people all around the world are taking notice. In fact, representatives from senior centers in Ireland, Canada and Great Britain have sought recommendations from the Hebrew Home, and are hoping to replicate the nightly program.