Virginia, a senior experiencing progressive weakening of cognitive functions, has been coming to Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center’s (211 Ainslie Street) adult day care, also known as “The Club” for around six months.
Her niece, Olga, is her caregiver and she brings Virginia to The Club five days a week.
There is a room dedicated to adult day care with a television and various individual activities. In addition, adult day care clients can also enjoy meals with the Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center members and participate in some of the center’s older adult activities with the members. This provides opportunities for interaction and variation of experiences. Caring for the clients are a Master of Social Work intern/case manager and a personal care worker.
When someone first starts adult day care, the case manager evaluates the client to see where they are biologically and to get a sense of what their life is like, family history, medical history, etc. Then the staff begins to look for opportunities to set goals or paths for growth potential. This is an ongoing process that is continually revisited in order to ensure they have the information that guides them to work in a way that best meets a client’s needs.
“Depending on the individual and what their needs are, we’ll tailor the program accordingly. For some there’s a desire for socialization and they want to be in the dining hall and engaging with other members, sharing meals, listening to music, sometimes dancing, other times it’s more activity based (drawing, playing card games). Sometimes just taking walks ore sitting in the garden,” said David Finnerty, the Masters of Social Work intern/case manager on the day.
Virginia enjoys having meals with the seniors of the center in addition to more individual activities coloring, word search, and jigsaw puzzles. There is door dedicated to Virginia’s coloring in the Adult Day Care room.
The Club at Swinging Sixties (211 Ainslie Street) provides a nurturing and interactive environment for older adults who are 60 or older, experiencing cognitive or physical challenges, and willing to participate in group activities. The Club is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services include: a caring professional staff trained in aging; person-centered assessment of needs, goals, and preferences; socialization and monitoring; activities to maximize each participant’s wellness; personal care and assistance, such as help with eating and mobility. Meals provided are: a light breakfast, midday dinner, and snack. Transportation to and from the center can be arranged. The caregiver of the client also receives a necessary window of time that provides some freedom and respite.
Olga says that she sees a difference in Virginia since she started coming to day care. “She is much better, much better.” Olga also says the adult day care benefits her as it enables her to have more time to herself, which allows her to get things done she otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.
Cheryl Kamen, deputy director of Older Adult Centers, Naturally Occuring Retirement Center, and Social Adult Day Care for St. Nicks Alliance conveys services that will be added to adult day care in the future. “We hope to add on-site and virtual caregiver support groups to assist family members with the stress of caregiving through interaction with other caregivers and education on the chronic illnesses that most often lead to fraility and the inability to perform the activities of daily living.”
Eligible older adults can attend from one to five days weekly. Daily fees are paid through the Medicaid NHTD Waiver Program and Managed Long Term Care* (MLTC). There is also the option to pay directly, that cost is currently $115 per day.
*currently Healthfirst CompleteCare, but ask your MLTC to consider a Single Patient Agreement.
The Club at Swinging Sixties (211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211) is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, interested individuals should contact eldercareinfo@stnicksalliance.org or 718.388.5454, ext. 910.
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