THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509210168
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
William Hornor suffers from Parkinson's disease and needs constant care and supervision.
His wife, Celia, was caring for him full time until last November, when she heard about the M.E. Cox Center for Elder Day Care. Now William Hornor attends the adult day-care center eight hours a day, three days a week. For $20 a day, Hornor enjoys stimulating activities with other older adults, a hot lunch, health monitoring and recreational opportunities.
And a grateful Celia Hornor receives a much-needed break from full-time care-giving.
``He likes it here. It's a nice change for him rather than staying at home,'' said Celia Hornor. ``And it's wonderful for me. I can go out and do things. It's the biggest help I could have.''
The growth of adult day-care centers has been increasing dramatically since the mid-'80s. The National Council on the Aging estimates that more than 3,000 centers are operating in the United States.
A nationwide survey of adult day care found that two-thirds of participants are women and the average age is 76. More than 90 percent of them needed assistance in two or more areas of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing or using the toilet.
People like the Hornors are finding that supervised adult day care meets both of their needs. It allows participants to stay at home, rather than in a nursing or assisted living facility, and helps them retain some kind of independence. Forty-five adult day-care centers operate in the state of Virginia.
The Hornors, along with 100 others, attended a luncheon and dance Tuesday at St. Nicholas Catholic Church's social hall to celebrate National Adult Day Care Center Week. The M.E. Cox Center hosted the fourth annual event for four other area organizations: Hampton Adult Day Care Center, Riverside Adult Day Care Center (from Smithfield), Older Adult Services Day Support Program (from the city of Virginia Beach) and Sentara Adult Day Health Care.
Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf was on hand to deliver a proclamation and join the fun. She was asked to kick off the dancing after lunch with one of the clients.
The Chubby Checker hit ``Do The Twist'' blared over loudspeakers as Oberndorf, her eyes wide and mouth agape, rose from her seat. She had a surprisingly hard time finding any takers to twist with, until Edward Smith of the Day Support Program joined her.
He only lasted about three seconds. But then Glenn Miller's ``In The Mood'' came to life and so did Smith. He grabbed the tiny mayor, spinning her around the dance floor with unabashed exuberance. Everyone on the floor laughed and clapped as they circled the dancing couple. When the song was over, Oberndorf thanked Smith and wiped her brow.
``Boy, you're good,'' she said. ``You can teach the rest of us!''
The non-profit day-care center was founded in July 1975 and is licensed for 30 participants a day. It has been operating at full capacity for several years, and another center is planned behind St. Nicholas. The capacity of the 6,235-square-foot building will be about 45 participants and feature separate rooms for activities, a social hall and a dining room.
Board members have applied for a conditional use permit, which will be discussed Oct. 12 by the Planning Commission. The building is expected to cost $250,000 to $300,000, part of which has already been raised.
``It's going to be more spacious and able to accommodate people easier,'' said Reba McClanan, an M.E. Cox Center board member. ``It's a very attractive building and will be compatible with the church and neighborhood.''
McClanan said a ``definite need'' exists for more adult day-care centers as more people, especially women, work outside the home.
``Adult day care gives them an alternative, but for some it's a necessity,'' said McClanan. ``It's not a glamorous necessity - nobody wants to think about getting old - and it's a hard case to sell. But everyone responds to love and care no matter what their age. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Edward Smith, 81, cuts a rug with Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera
Oberndorf at the M.E. Cox Center for Elder Day Care. Dancing to the
Glenn Miller hit ``In The Mood,'' Smith spun the mayor around the
dance floor with unabashed exuberance while the audience laughed and
clapped.
Graphic
HOW TO SELECT AN ADULT DAY CARE CENTER
A high quality adult day care center:
Assesses individuals before admission to determine range of
abilities and needs;
Provides an active program during the day which meets the social,
recreational and rehabilitative needs of the older person;
Develops an individualized treatment plan for clients and
monitors their progress;
Gives referrals to other needed services in the community;
Provides a full range of in-house services, including personal
care, transportation, meals, health screening and monitoring,
educational programming, counseling and rehabilitative services;
Utilizes qualified and well-trained staff and volunteers;
Meets existing state and national standards and guidelines.
Source: 1995 The National Council on the Aging Inc.
KEYWORDS: SENIOR CITIZEN DAY CARE by CNB