Published: September 29, 2008 10:32 am         

Care for adults

Life Adult Day Center celebrates 25 years of service

As Payne County’s elderly population increases with age, they find they are not able to do a lot of things with ease.

They may not need a nursing home, but they need help with daily activities. Loved ones may step in to help, but they don’t always have time to provide daily care.

Life Adult Day Center at First Christian Church in Stillwater offers an adult day care service for such individuals, providing help to our seniors and offering a break to caregivers. It’s been offering such care for 25 years.

Adult day services “provide an alternative to early institution for older adults,” said Jacqui Sanders, outreach coordinator for Life Adult Day Center.

They may have an illness, like Alzheimer’s, or may have had a stroke. It may be an issue of mobility, the adults having increased trouble getting around. Whatever their issues, Life Adult Day Center is available to help.

Life Adult Day Center opened its doors in 1983, the same year President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation declaring a National Adult Day Services Week at the end of September. A member of First Christian Church had already been interested in this type of service, and upon hearing of it in Kansas, investigated and found it could fit Stillwater. The idea was presented to the church, which also agreed to the program.

But there remained a question: Would the community be interested?

A task force consisting of interested citizens studied the feasibility of an adult day service in Stillwater, targeting residents over 60 years old who may need extra help. A public hearing was held before the community, garnering a positive response.

The First Christian Church donated space in its Life Center, a voluntary board of directors hired staff, and services began Feb. 15, 1983.

“Being located here in this church, it’s allowed us to have a quality staff,” said Jane Carlson, executive director of Life Adult Day Center.

The service had a slow start, helping only five participants. Today it serves about 50 participants. About half come each weekday.

The center provides many services to older people: physical therapy, speech and memory therapy and aquatic and recreation therapy, along with health and nutrition monitoring and education, medication administration and individual and group exercises and activities.

It also provides education and support groups, conferences and referrals for caregivers and gives flu shots each fall.

How much do all these services cost? Fees run $45 per day, or $7.50 if the participant will be there fewer than six hours. Not everyone can afford the fees, however, and Life Adult Day Center understands that. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services sponsors several programs that can help pay for care.

Private insurance companies also may provide funding for the services.

“We don’t turn away anyone without the ability to pay,” Sanders said.

Life Adult Day Center is located in the Life Center of the First Christian Church, 411 W. Mathews. For more information, call 377-0978 or visit www.lifecenterads.org.

     

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