Finding Comfort, Connection, and Routine: How Hearts and Minds Activity Center Supports Families Facing Dementia
Alzheimer's and Dementia Day Program
When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it can feel like life changes overnight. For families in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, navigating care options is not only about choosing between in-home care or residential living, but also about discovering alternatives that promote connection, dignity, and purpose.
In this episode of SYNERGY Sessions, host Tom Nelson speaks with Maria Nicolacoudis, CEO of Hearts and Minds Activity Center, a nonprofit adult day program based in San Jose that specializes in serving people living with dementia. Their conversation offers insight into how social day programs work, how they complement other types of care, and why support for the caregiver is just as essential as support for the loved one.
Click here to watch the full podcast: https://youtu.be/bb0zED-08HE
What Is a Social Adult Day Program?
A Focus on Connection, Not Just Care
Hearts and Minds Activity Center is not a medical facility. It is a social adult day program that focuses on engagement, stimulation, and connection. Participants attend during the day, typically while their family caregiver is working or tending to other responsibilities.
Unlike adult day health centers that provide nursing and physical therapy, Hearts and Minds centers its services around meaningful daily structure. From music and crafts to movement and conversation, each day is filled with social and cognitive activities designed to slow cognitive decline and build community.
The goal is not only to support people with dementia but also to give their caregivers reliable respite and peace of mind.
Dementia-Specific Programming with an Intergenerational Twist
Matching Services to Each Stage of Dementia
Hearts and Minds uses a structured assessment process and the Teepa Snow GEM™ Model to group participants by their cognitive and functional abilities. These groups, called Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, and Ruby, allow staff to tailor activities and support appropriately without under- or overestimating a person’s needs.
Each group has multiple activities happening simultaneously, and participants have freedom of movement. Some may choose a quiet puzzle in the corner. Others might join a drum circle or painting class. The environment is adaptable and grounded in dignity.
A Truly Intergenerational Experience
A unique feature of Hearts and Minds is that it operates a licensed childcare center on-site. Children and older adults have opportunities to engage together, restoring some of the natural generational exchange that often disappears as dementia progresses.
How Adult Day Programs Fit Into the Continuum of Care
A Middle Path Between Home and Residential Care
Maria explains that one of the biggest misconceptions families have is that they must choose between hiring in-home care or moving a loved one into assisted living. Day programs offer a middle option that preserves independence while providing structure and supervision during the day.
Compared to 24/7 care, adult day programs are significantly more affordable and allow families to use their resources more flexibly. They also help preserve the care recipient's social skills and sense of routine — key factors in maintaining quality of life.
Not Every Program Is the Same
It is important to research and verify that any adult day program you’re considering serves the population your loved one falls into. Some are for adults with disabilities, others are for seniors broadly, and some, like Hearts and Minds, are dementia-specific.
Supporting Family Caregivers
More Than Respite: Real Partnership
Hearts and Minds doesn't just provide a safe space for people with dementia. It also supports caregivers with extended program hours, support groups, regular communication, and care navigation services.
Families receive updates via a portal system that shows what their loved one did that day, along with staff notes, meal reports, and sometimes photos of their participation in activities. If something changes — like a new bruise, a cough, or a shift in mood — staff contact the caregiver right away.
Planning for Caregiver Wellbeing
Maria emphasizes that caring for a loved one with dementia is a 24/7 commitment that can put caregivers at risk of burnout. Whether through an adult day program, respite home care, or support groups, she encourages families to create a plan not just for the care recipient, but for the caregiver’s own health and sustainability.
When Is the Right Time to Start?
Sooner Is Usually Better
Families often wait too long to seek support, hoping to maintain normalcy or avoid difficult conversations. But waiting until a person with dementia is highly anxious or overly dependent can make the transition harder.
Introducing new routines, like attending a day program, early in the disease process can ease the adjustment. People often form friendships and come to look forward to their time at Hearts and Minds.
Even when initial attempts don’t work out, the team encourages families to keep the door open. Many participants who were once resistant eventually settle in and thrive.
A Compassionate Model for Dementia Care in Silicon Valley
For families in Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and across Silicon Valley, Hearts and Minds offers a meaningful, affordable alternative to traditional care. Whether as a standalone resource or paired with in-home care from providers like SYNERGY HomeCare of Silicon Valley, adult day programs offer both structure for loved ones and relief for their caregivers.
If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, now is the right time to start the conversation.
Learn More or Take the Next Step
Contact Hearts and Minds Activity Center
Website: https://www.heartsandmindsactivitycenter.org
Phone: (408) 279-7515
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartsandMindsSJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartsandmindssj/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-minds-activity-center/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hearts-and-minds-activity-center-san-jose-2
Looking for in-home respite or companion care?
SYNERGY HomeCare of Silicon Valley provides flexible, non-medical care to help family caregivers breathe easier while supporting their loved ones' independence and safety. Click here to learn more about SYNERGY HomeCare’s personalized Memory Care program.
Resources and References
Hearts and Minds Activity Center
https://www.heartsandmindsactivitycenter.orgCalifornia Association for Adult Day Services (CAADS)
https://www.caads.orgNational Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
https://www.nadsa.orgTeepa Snow’s GEM™ Model for Dementia Stages
https://teepasnow.com/blog/6-gems-you-need-to-know-for-a-positive-approach-to-dementia-care/Alzheimer's Association - Caregiver Support
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregivingSYNERGY HomeCare of Silicon Valley
https://www.synergyhomecareofsiliconvalley.com
