Karen and Mike Comeau have found help from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s day center. Photo: Courtesy
When Mike Comeau was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, Karen, his wife of 36 years, found herself stepping into a new role – full-time caregiver. For a while, the couple managed, but as Mike’s needs increased, even short errands became stressful.
“It was unsafe to leave him alone,” recalled Karen. “I knew I needed help.”
Through a support group, she learned about the Sam L. Cohen Center in Biddeford, one of Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s adult day programs. Mike’s trial visit was a success, and he began attending the program in 2023. Last year, when Southern Maine Agency on Aging opened a new adult day program in Springvale, Mike and Karen, who live in Alfred, decided to make the switch.
While she initially wondered whether Mike was ready, the program quickly became a vital part of their lives.
“It was a perfect fit,” Karen said. “The staff and volunteers are incredible. I trust them completely. I also needed the respite to attend to things I couldn’t do while keeping him safe at home.”
For Mike, the program has brought joy and renewed connection. No longer able to drive or use the phone, he had lost many avenues of social connection. At the center, he found companionship and purpose.
“It surprised me how open he was to going,” Karen said. “He’s developed close relationships with some of the other gentlemen who attend the program, and they joke around a lot together. He’s lost a lot of outside communication with the world. I think the program is his little nook, of having something that’s his.”
Family and friends also encourage him by asking about his day.
“He loves that people ask questions he can answer,” Karen said. That sense of belonging has restored confidence and lifted his spirits.
Karen said the program provides both relief and peace of mind.
“As a caregiver, you still have errands, appointments, and sometimes you just need a break,” she said. “Without this program, I’d have to bring him places he doesn’t need to be. I call it a life-saving program at this point. I’m very, very grateful.”
She urges other caregivers to consider the benefits, even if the transition feels difficult at first. “It breaks your heart a little to leave your loved one – but it’s a good thing for everyone. Mike is a very special, loving man. He loves the people there, and I know they love him.”
To learn more about the adult day program in Springvale, contact Nicole Garrity at 207 396-6508 or ngarrity@smaaa.org. A form is available at www.smaaa.org.
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