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Adult Daycare Keeps Seniors Active And Happy |
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Friday, 09 October 2009 |
A group of seniors enjoy a game of Yahtzee at The Meeting Place Thursday morning. (Photo by Christopher Roy)
By CHRISTOPHER ROY
Express Staff Writer
Several months ago, 84-year-old Clarence Maker from Newport City, said he would easily get angry. Today, thanks to the Meeting Place, he is happy, likes to laugh, and have a good time.
The Meeting Place, a senior citizen daycare service on Second Street,
allows people like Maker to remain in their homes instead of going into
assisted living facilities
“I’m not going in a place like that,” he said with a determined tone in
his voice. “I’d be like a prisoner. I’m used to being free and used to
doing what I want.”
Two years ago Maker’s doctor made him turn in his driver’s license. A
couple of months ago, Theresa Desbiens from the Area Agency on Aging
told him about The Meeting Place.
“I love it here,” said Maker between games of Yahtzee he was playing
with other senior citizens. “I’ve met some old friends here.”
The program that allows Maker to remain in his home is known as Aging in Place.
Ken Gordon, executive director for the Area Agency on Aging, said this
is national Aging in Place Week. The term suggests the idea of senior
citizens remaining in their homes for as long as possible.
This is accomplished through community-based long-term care services as
opposed to nursing homes. Those services include home health agencies,
adult day programs, a system of transportation, the Area Agency on
Aging, support for families who are taking care of their elders, health
care counseling, and exercise programs that help people maintain their
strength, flexibility, and balance so they can remain in their homes.
Many of the services are based more on functional status than age, Gordon said
“If you need help with your personal care, you may be eligible for
services,” he said. “We’re starting to get to the point that we ask
‘what do you need help with?’ regardless of your age.”
Most people want to remain in their own homes and it is less expensive
than going into an institution, said Gordon. He said there are more
people aging in place than there are in nursing facilities. Some of
this, he said, is because of advances in medical technology. Some home
health agencies are able to monitor a patient’s vitals through the
phone line. Another reason is organizations, like the Meeting Place,
that provide daycare services to seniors.
Jennifer Barns, activities director for The Meeting Place, established
four years ago, said the facility is funded through private and public
sources. She said her program is one of 13 across the state. Between 16
and 20 senior citizens, go to The Meeting Place every day. In all, the
program has 30 members.
“We’re here for anyone who needs our services,” said Barns. Programs
like these help senior citizens age with independence. It also keeps
them out of nursing homes, busy, and active. “We have to keep our
seniors active, they’re our role model.”
Green Mountain Adult Services is a second program that offers adult
daycare services. Joellen Bendlak said her organization has been
offering services at Newport Health Care since 1996.
“It provides an opportunity for seniors to come in and reconnect to
their friends,” said Bendlak. “It also provides them with nursing care,
if they need it. I think if it wasn’t for our program, there would be
many seniors who live at home who would be shut-ins.”
According to Gordon, most seniors are motivated and want to do things other than sitting at home watching television.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 October 2009 )
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