Side By Side

Program Description

The Side By Side Program located in the Family Life Center is designed to provide respite services to primary caregivers who need relief from the day-to-day care giving of a dependent family member over the age of 18 years.

The primary focus of this program is to provide life enrichment activities such as gardening, art, and music-including dance.  There are occasional outings in the community.  The program is designed to maintain or improve social, educational, psychological and physical abilities of the participants.  Thus providing a positive impact on body, mind and spirit. Services are provided by qualified direct care and support staff.

The Side By Side Program has access to an atrium, conservatory and landscaped garden where fruits, vegetables, annual and perennial flowers are accessible to those with disabilities.  The Family Life Center facility is designed to accommodate year round gardening activities.  We maintain a 1 staff to 5 consumers ratio at all times.

In an effort to meet the diverse needs of the individuals and families we serve, the hours of operation are from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.  The cost of care is $11.70 per hour.  Visitors are welcomed and encouraged to tour the program.
 

Program Philosophy

The Side By Side Program philosophy models after the overall agency mission and values.  Therefore, the mission of Side By Side is to create and sustain an enhanced living and working environment that nourishes individual potential, promotes community cohesiveness, and serves as the benchmark for excellence in mental health services.
 

Program Goals

1. Maximize satisfaction of consumers served
2. Maximize consumer socialization
3. Maximize safety of consumers
4. Maximize goal achievement

Services Provided

• An intake assessment for each participant in collaboration with the referring health care professionals indicated.
• Subsidized participation based on eligibility
• An enrichment plan developed in collaboration with participant, family and care givers
• Comprehensive goals and objectives that promote the well being of the participant and caregiver.
• A well balanced hot meal.
• Assistance with personal care as needed.
• Transportation to and from the facility can be arranged.

Admission Criteria

1. An appropriate referral for services from the Case Management agency; or successful completion of intake assessment if from another agency.  
2. Ability to participate in a group setting and willingness to cooperate in voluntary program.
3. Ability to follow simple instructions.
4. Ability to provide own assertive device if dependent on wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.
5. Ability to transfer with one person assisting.
6. Ability to take own medications with minimal assist.
7. Must provide personal care items and change of clothing if incontinent of bowel and or bladder.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Must not have special dietary restrictions outside those provided by the congregate meal site.
2. Must not pose a significant danger to self or others.
3. Must not require isolation or restraint as specified in the AFC licensing rules (R400.1308).

Discharge Criteria

1. Services discontinued by case management agency and/or family.
2. Refusal to attend and/or participate in program.
3. Decline in health-physical or mental-which prohibits continuation in program as determined by admission criteria.
4. Exhibition of tendency to be injurious to self or others
5. Participant is no longer benefiting from services offered by the program.

Readmission Criteria

Additional Services

1. We will assist families with discharge planning.
2. We offer podiatry services once a month.
3. We will link services for families based on their needs by giving them referrals to the services they require.  (Like Long Term Care, Over Night Respite, Bathing Services, Hospice, Visiting Physicians, In Home Care, and the Alzheimer's Association.)