Adult Day Care Services

Sometimes one person can make all the difference. This is fortunately the case at Adult Day Care Services, where the owner gives her heart and soul to the care and nurturing of the center’s twenty-four participants. The owner started as an office worker and enjoyed her work so much that she purchased the facility in 2003 after eleven years of employment. Her observable joy for her work has resulted in an environment in which the participants, 90 percent of whom have dementia, seem to thrive. A philosophy of empowerment is emphasized here, and participants are treated with a real “can-do” attitude. We noticed a line of empty wheelchairs, folded up and parked against a wall of the activity room. Participants with no medical need for a wheelchair are encouraged to stand and move about. This way of thinking carries over to the activity offerings—a great measure of respect is given to participants. Programming always includes a religious activity such as prayers or reading the Bible, mentally stimulating games, physical exercise, arts and crafts projects, music activities and social events like barbecues and theme parties. A good deal of flexibility is incorporated in determining the activity choices. For instance, several of the male participants don’t enjoy making crafts, so a special program that includes cards and checkers was created for them. The women enjoy weekly manicures, and a podiatrist visits the facility every eight weeks. Since one of the participants loves playing the piano, the owner purchased a used one, which the participant now plays daily—much to everyone’s delight! Participants regularly visit a children’s day care center that is housed in the same building. Aromatherapy helps engage the participants’ olfactory senses, and the smell of baking bread often greets them in the morning. Other activities include walks, attending plays at the local high school, and dining out. A nurse comes once a week, and there is a doctor downstairs in case of an emergency. This pleasant brick building enjoys lots of natural light. Great care has been taken to transform the starkly white interior into a warm and homey setting. Paintings and decorations adorn the walls. The common room is furnished with large, comfortable leather chairs and couches, while the lounge is sufficiently equipped for activities. Participants take breakfast and lunch in a separate dining room.