For families caring for a loved one experiencing cognitive decline or dementia, some of the most meaningful gifts can be surprisingly simple: a few hours to run errands. Time for an appointment. Lunch with a friend. A chance to rest.
At The Helm Wilson Day Center, those hours are paired with something equally important for the person receiving care: a place to spend the day surrounded by activity, companionship, and people who take the time to know them.
The community Adult Day Program serves older adults living with cognitive decline or dementia, offering meaningful activities, meals, social connection and a safe, welcoming environment. But Executive Director Krista Siddall says its purpose extends beyond the person who walks through the doors each day.
“But the program is really designed to support the whole family,” Krista said. “It gives participants an opportunity to remain engaged and connected to their community while also providing caregivers with time, resources and support.”
That support can be particularly valuable because caregiving often becomes an all-consuming role. While a loved one spends time at the Wilson Day Center, a caregiver can turn attention toward responsibilities and needs that might otherwise be pushed aside.
“We give caregivers something incredibly important: protected time,” Krista said.
That might mean working, running errands, going to an appointment, or simply recharging while knowing their loved one is in an environment where they are respected, known, and engaged.
“Caregivers often put their own health and well-being aside while caring for someone else,” Krista said. “We want them to know that accepting support isn't stepping away from their role as a caregiver. It can actually help them continue in that role.”
Inside the center, that support begins with understanding each participant as an individual.
Wilson Day Center Director Heidi Uhlig-Johnstone oversees daily operations, enrollment and intake, staff support, communication with families and caregivers, and participant needs. Each morning begins with a staff meeting to discuss the participants expected that day, any changes the team should know about, and the activities ahead.
At 10 a.m., participants and caregivers begin arriving. Those first conversations can provide important insight into how someone slept, whether there have been behavioral changes, or whether the family needs additional support.
From there, the day might include coffee and conversation, chair exercises, trivia, word games, crafts, puzzles, bingo, or cornhole. A recently completed outdoor space also gives participants a chance to enjoy fresh air and socialize.
But there is no formula for a day at the center because there is no formula for the people who spend their days there.
“A participant may be very alert, talkative, and engaged one day and have less energy, or experience more confusion the next,” Heidi said. “Our staff understands that these changes are part of the care we provide, and we are prepared to meet each participant where they are that day.”
That individualized approach begins during intake, when staff members learn about each person’s interests, personality, likes and dislikes, profession, and family history.
“That helps us get to know the person, not just their diagnosis, and gives us opportunities to make their time here more meaningful,” Heidi said.
Sometimes those opportunities lead to connections that follow participants home.
Staff members discovered, for example, that one participant loved listening to the Eagles and the Beatles and would sing along. When they shared that with the caregiver, the family began playing the music at home, creating another way to connect.
Cornhole has become another favorite at the center. After one family learned how much their loved one enjoyed playing, they bought a set so they could play together at home.
“Those may seem like small things, but they show how what we learn about someone at the Wilson Day Center can extend beyond their time here and create meaningful moments for families at home, too,” Heidi said.
Small moments are also what Krista thinks about when considering the center’s impact. Rather than pointing to one family’s private experience, she sees meaning in a familiar song that sparks a memory, a conversation between new friends, or the moment someone discovers an activity they genuinely enjoy.
Meanwhile, somewhere outside the center, a caregiver might finally be sitting down to lunch with a friend or simply having a moment to breathe.
“Neither of those things may sound extraordinary on their own, but together they can make a meaningful difference in the life of a family,” Krista said.
Recognizing the person behind the role of “caregiver” is central to the center’s philosophy.
Caregiving is not always a responsibility people anticipate. Heidi has heard people say they never imagined finding themselves in the role at 46 or 68. Once there, the time and energy required can make it easy to lose sight of their own needs.
“I think it’s really important for families and the broader community to remember that caregivers need care and support, too,” Heidi said. “They shouldn’t have to wait until they are completely overwhelmed or burned out to ask for help.”
Supporting a caregiver doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Heidi encourages people to check in, bring a meal, pick up groceries, spend time with the person receiving care so the caregiver can take a break, or simply be there to listen.
At the Wilson Day Center, that philosophy extends beyond providing respite. Allie Short, support and wellness specialist, works one-on-one with caregivers to connect them with resources, help them prepare for the future, and encourage them to prioritize their own well-being.
For Krista, the season of gratitude brings particular appreciation for the families who allow The Helm to become part of such a personal chapter of their lives.
“I’m most grateful for the trust families place in us,” she said. “Inviting us into this part of their lives is significant, and it's a responsibility we don't take lightly.”
She is also grateful for the opportunity to watch relationships develop, participants becoming comfortable, connecting with staff and one another, and finding moments they enjoy.
Heidi finds her own reasons for gratitude in the same relationships. She is thankful for the opportunity to lead the Wilson Day Center, for The Helm’s trust in her, and for a staff she describes as strong, dedicated, and driven by the organization’s mission.
But perhaps the greatest lessons have come from the participants and families themselves.
“Every day reminds me of how important connection is at every stage of life,” Heidi said. “I see it when caregivers connect through shared experiences and when participants laugh together, socialize, share a smile, or simply enjoy being in one another’s company.”
Those moments may be quiet, but in a season centered on giving thanks, they offer their own reminder that gratitude does not always come from life’s biggest occasions.
Sometimes, it is found in a favorite song. A game of cornhole. A shared smile. A few hours of rest.
Or simply in knowing that neither the person receiving care nor the person providing it has to navigate the journey alone.
Fore more information, www.helmlife.org/wilson-day-center/, 313-882-9600.
“I think it’s really important for families and the broader community to remember that caregivers need care and support, too,"
Program Services for Participants
- Structured Activities: Engaging arts, crafts, and games tailored to cognitive stimulation.
- Social Connection: Group conversation and meaningful daily interactions in a safe, welcoming environment.
- Wellness & Fitness: Physical activities and health-focused routines.
- Meals: Lunch and healthy snacks provided during the day.
Support for Caregivers
- Respite Care: Safe supervision by trained professionals, giving family caregivers time to work, run errands, or rest.
- Caregiver Resources: Access to a specialized caregiver library, social worker consultations, and educational tools.