More than 2 million Floridians currently provide caregiving for family members, a number that is expected to grow significantly during the next five years. Elsa Lopez and her husband, Marshall Lopez-Riveria, understand the related challenges all too well.
Lopez has been a caregiver for her 81-year-old husband for more than two years. The two live in St. Johns County. In 2018, Marshall suffered two strokes and then had more throughout the last several years, leading to his dementia diagnosis. That was tough on both of them, but the last two years have been the most severe, Lopez said.
“I was crying all the time,” Lopez said. “When do you decide: I need help? My daughter and son became worried about my own health.”
After 56 years of marriage, Lopez realized that she couldn’t handle this on her own. Marshall needed more attention than ever. She needed help.
Lopez and her family soon found River Garden Senior Services and discovered its adult day program.
“He goes to the day program Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Lopez said. “Marshall is a people person, so this is his time to interact with people.”
Lopez admits that it was difficult to let Marshall go in the beginning. But she knew it was going to be beneficial for both of them. After all, she had to take Marshall everywhere with her when she needed to run errands for herself. That meant making him sit in doctor's office waiting rooms alone, which she became afraid to do.
“I feel so confident, so happy,” Lopez said. “I can finally do things on my own.”
The adult day program is a safe and engaging space for seniors who live at home but need daytime support and social connection. Each senior receives a personalized, flexible schedule tailored to their needs. They may participate in a range of daily activities from chair exercises and ceramics to baking and bingo.
Caregivers typically begin by scheduling two days each week but often increase that as their loved one becomes more comfortable, said Melanie Ruggiero, director of home and community based services at River Garden. The program operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“When we have caregivers come in and interview with us, they are exhausted,” Ruggiero said. “Over time, we notice that they look rested.”
Ruggiero says River Garden prides itself on being a safe place that caregivers trust. She says their goal is to make every person who walks through their doors feel understood and valued.
“No matter what their diagnosis is, we meet them where they are,” Ruggiero said.
Although River Garden welcomes people of all faiths, Lopez feels a special connection through her own Jewish faith. She finds it comforting to see familiar faces from her synagogue among the residents.
“All the staff are so kind, so nice,” Lopez said. “They give me a hug and they say, everything's going to be fine.”
Caregivers currently using the adult day program now have access to a new drop-in program, where they can drop off their loved one for a four-hour window on short notice if something comes up.
Ruggiero says without respite, caregivers eventually burn out, which is why support systems like River Garden’s are so critical. The adult day program is accepting new clients. To learn more about River Garden’s adult day program, caregivers can call 904-288-7858 or go to RiverGarden.org.
