JFS BlogSparking Joy in Hearts and Minds
How the BAOAC Supports Adults with Dementia & Their Caregivers
September 25, 2024
Right now, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number is projected to rise to more than 13 million. While the disease does not yet have a cure, there is hope. The Balboa Avenue Older Adult Center (BAOAC) at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is a revolutionary day program that sparks joy in the hearts and minds of attendees and their families. This week, we sat down with program coordinator, Aviva Saad, to learn more about what makes the BAOAC so special.
What is BAOAC?
“Many people assume that because someone has dementia they are not able to tell you their feelings or understand the situation. But in the right place, with the right care, and a whole lot of patience, people can bloom and be happy again.”
– Aviva Saad (pictured left)
The Balboa Avenue Older Adult Center is located on the JFS Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus and provides a safe and uplifting environment for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia. Four days a week, the BAOAC offers stimulating activities and games, opportunities to engage and connect with others, explore movement through exercise and dance, and stay healthy with nutritious lunches with the option to take home frozen dinners.
“It’s always inspiring to see someone get excited when they remember the words to a song or start dancing. At the BAOAC, we bring out the best in people. Using routine and repetition, our members feel comfortable, connect with others, and genuinely have fun because they feel alive again—not stuck in front of a TV or napping all day in a chair,” explains Aviva.
“In addition to guest visits from museums and musicians, our members really enjoy playing games. One of our favorite games to play is Bingo—but not the version where you just call out numbers—we use geography, rhyming words, history, and more to engage brain power. By asking questions like, ‘Which country likes to celebrate with pinatas and tacos?’ or ‘In what city would you find the Statue of Liberty?’ etc., we can stimulate their minds and trigger memories from as far back as childhood. It’s always a joy to hear them retelling stories from their younger days, and it’s quite empowering for them.”
Supporting Caregivers
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be full of challenges—both emotional and physical. For many in our community, caring for both children and parents at the same time can leave them feeling completely drained. Having a four-hour break during the day gives caregivers and family members the time to care for themselves—whether that means taking a shower, visiting with a friend, catching up on sleep, or running errands without having to worry if their loved one is safe.
Meet Sharon (left) and her mom, Susan.
“My mom has early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease. I’m her primary caregiver and she has been living with me, my husband, and three kids for the last two and a half years. We were told that staying active and being social would greatly help her prognosis. A friend of mine recommended the BAOAC.
My mom loved the BAOAC right away. We were greeted so warmly by the amazing staff and immediately I could tell my mom felt safe and understood. It was amazing to see my mom smile as she did chair exercises and dance to live music. And, to my surprise, as we were leaving after that first day, my mom turned to all the other attendees and Aviva, and loudly proclaimed, ‘You are all my Mishpacha – My family. And I will be coming back!’
So, what does the BAOAC mean to us as a family? As my mom likes to say, ‘It feels like coming home.‘ The two days my mom attends the BAOAC anchor her week. She makes an effort to dress nicely, do her hair, and put on her makeup. She checks the clock to make sure she is outside on time to catch her prescheduled On The Go ride provided by JFS’s transportation service. The BAOAC gives her a sense of independence, purpose, and pride in what she can do for herself.
The BAOAC really is a magical place for the participants and all of the families. Every moment and every interaction is done with love, dignity, compassion and heartfelt support. I have to sing the praises of the incredible team of staff and long-term volunteers who are led by Aviva, who is an absolutely incredible caring force of nature.
When my Mom comes home after a day at the BAOAC, you can see that she is happy and has a bounce in her step. My family and I are thankful that the BAOAC plays such an important role in caring for my Mom. I honestly don’t know where we would be without the Center.”
– Sharon, daughter of BAOAC member
Jewish Family Service is the Home to BAOAC and much more.
For over a century, JFS has been committed to helping older adults lead healthy, active, and independent lives. By caring for the whole person, we connect our members to compassionate care and supportive services that allow them to age with dignity. Our network of support includes critical nutrition assistance in the form of healthy lunches at the BAOAC, with the option to take home hearty frozen dinners; On the Go transportation assistance to and from the BAOAC; the JFS Fix-It Service which provides free home safety modifications, and more. And for our Jewish attendees, the Center for Jewish Care is there to comfort and celebrate with. From the moment our members step through our doors, they know they will be well taken care of.
“At the end of the day, it feels good to know that I was able to spark joy in hearts and minds and bring peace to families.”
– Aviva Saad
To learn more about the BAOAC visit www.jfssd.org/BAOAC.
To schedule a tour of the BAOAC or to enroll, email [email protected] or call (858) 637-3210. Your first day is free!
To become an aging care volunteer, visit www.jfssd.org/volunteer.
