Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor Fills A Need

Did you know we have Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor? Far too many people have no idea we offer this program. A little background first:

The state of Ohio has the sixth oldest older adult population in the nation, and its senior population is expected to increase by 20 % in the next seven years. Therefore, it should be no surprise that Ohio has a great need for aging services, particularly in an adult day setting. All adult day services closed during the pandemic, and only about half have reopened. Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor is one of only four we know that have reopened in our area after three years of COVID-19. One repercussion from all of this is the damage isolation has on one’s well-being. So, who are the elderly in need of these services?

• Homebound adults in need of socialization.
• Adults who are not safe at home alone while a caregiver is at work or running errands.
• Adults whose caregiver is in need of respite.

Our Adult Day Services program has trained aides to assist with client needs. A certified activity coordinator plans a calendar full of events and activities that fit the needs and interests of our clients. With a nurse on site, we can put an extra set of trained professional eyes on things that come up for the clients that may need further investigation by a physician.

Our clients range in age from 45 to 94, with diagnoses from fully cognizant with mild to complex health issues to being blind to various degrees of dementia. Some clients live alone, are not able to drive due to health issues, and want to socialize. 

 On a typical day, our clients arrive after 8:30 a.m., either by family or by utilizing our transportation services. A continental breakfast is provided, and clients have a chance to socialize, read the newspaper, play cards, or any activity they choose. A nutritious kosher meal is served right after a light exercise program. After lunch, clients may participate in Bingo or choose another activity. In the afternoon, an entertainer, a group project/activity, or an outing may be planned. Around 3:00 p.m., rides begin to arrive to deliver clients safely back home. 

Services available include on-site access to physical, occupational, and speech therapies with a physician referral, on-site access to our hair salon, and transportation to and from our facility. Currently, we have 25 participants in our Adult Day program, approximately 12-13 each day, with a maximum capacity of 35 adults daily.

Let me tell you about one of our clients, Katie*. She attends Monday through Friday, and her husband drops her off on his way to work. He walks her to the door every morning, and when the aide greets her at the door, she gets the biggest smile on her face. She will take the aide’s hand, who will take her to a big comfy recliner chair and waits for a cup of coffee, toast, or muffin. The aide will take her to the restroom several times a day and make sure she eats her breakfast, lunch, and snack. On some days, she will come out of the lounging area to the main room looking for a particular aide that she will sit with and hold her hand for security and comfort. She likes to “play Bingo”: the aide plays her card and makes her feel as if she is involved in the game. She enjoys listening to music and will join in the bowling activity with the group. When Katie first came to Adult Day Services, she communicated very little, mostly yes or no responses, could not feed herself, and interacted very little with others. Her spouse has said several times that “he could not do this without us,” and we are a “G-d send.” Without our program, more individuals like Katie would be placed in long-term facilities even before they are truly ready for placement.

The Ohio Department of Aging is prioritizing restoring Adult Day Services as our aging population means more demand on the health care delivery system. We need to find better opportunities to provide the right care at the right place and time. Utilizing Adult Day Services is less expensive than living in nursing homes and assisted living and can help keep people out of the hospital unnecessarily.

For more information, please contact our Adult Day Services Director at 330.746.7650, ext. 579, or Eric Murray, Executive Director of Senior Services, at 330.746.1076.

Andy
Andrew Lipkin, Federation CEO

*Name has been changed for privacy.