THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 18, 1995 TAG: 9510170061
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Business
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
THE GROWING NUMBER of older adults too healthy for nursing homes but still in need of care has prompted Riverside Health Systems to expand its services in Isle of Wight County.
Riverside Adult Daycare Center-Smithfield opened in late August at 200 Lumar Road, Smithfield. Located in the new wing of Riverside Convalescent Center, the adult day-care program provides daily care for clients Monday through Friday.
Riverside Health Systems also has similar programs in Newport News and Williamsburg.
``Older populations are living longer and are in better health than previous generations,'' said Cathy Staub, an aide for the Smithfield day-care program. ``Oftentimes, older people's sons and daughters are having to take care of them.''
Riverside Adult Daycare Center-Smithfield is licensed to accept up to 14 clients a day, said Kerry Kelly, coordinator of the day-care program. Although the $28-per-day fee is not covered by Medicaid, the fee includes the cost of all activities and meals.
``We are able to provide these older adults with the supervision and stimulation that many of them need,'' Kelly said. ``When they stay at home with their families, they usually don't have these structured activities.
``The more active older adults are, the less likely they will need to be placed in a nursing home. Our program is geared to keeping clients as mentally and physically active as possible.''
At the center, clients have opportunities to visit, play games and participate in a variety of other activities. For example, in September, they made ceramics, baked cookies, made jewelry, held a non-alcoholic wine and cheese party, and took a field trip to Virginia Beach.
``We try really hard to make coming here just like home,'' Kelly said.
In one corner of the activity room, card tables line the walls. Across the room, several recliners and couches surround a large television. The French doors beside the fireplace lead out into a rose garden where clients can work.
Nearby is a large kitchen where clients can bake cookies and cakes and eat lunches prepared by the cafeteria staff. The center also has bedrooms available for napping.
Care-givers benefit as much as clients from adult day-care programs, Staub said. It's important that families caring for older relatives have an occasional break from the responsibility, she said.
``All care-givers need a relief from having to give constant care,'' Staub said. ``They need to feel they can be able to take a day off or work outside the home and know their family member will be taken care of.''
That is why Betty and Larry Grizzle turned to the Riverside center shortly after it opened.
Grizzle's father, 80-year-old Clinton Grizzle, moved in with the Smithfield family earlier this year. For a month, he has been spending two days a week in the program.
``Betty was the primary care-giver,'' Larry Grizzle said. ``Now this gives her a chance to do what she needs to do during the week . . . and we don't worry about him when he is there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Clint Grizzle walks with Kerry Kelly, coordinator of the day-care
program at Riverside.
KEYWORDS: ADULT DAY CARE by CNB