There’s a new adult day care center available for caregivers who need someone to watch their loved one while they’re working, running errands or merely taking a break from their caregiving duties.
CARES Adult Day Care at Northlake Community Center, 2640 N. Lakeview Drive in Tampa, opened in July in an updated recreational center.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
The adult day care center provides care for those ages 18 and older afflicted by Alzheimer’s or dementia, or who have other special needs.
The goal is provide the help that caregivers need and to provide socialization for those coming to the day care, said Brittany Stowers, center manager.
The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Some clients come daily and stay for the entire day. Others may come one or two mornings a week, or every other week, Stowers said. Those arrangements are made individually.
Program costs vary, based on how many hours of service a client receives and on individual financial situations, Stowers said. She said that will be discussed when arrangements are made for the care.
Regardless of the amount of time that clients spend in the center, the goal is to make it an inviting and stimulating place for them, Stowers said.
There are various activities, including daily walks, arts and crafts, meals, snacks and entertainment.
They play No Money Bingo, do brain teasers and share their talents. Some people really enjoy singing, Stowers said.
Clients also can look through books and magazines that have been donated to a small library at the center.
Clients can sit on recliners indoors and on picnic benches on the back porch. There’s an arts and crafts room, too.
“Since it is not a residential facility, we know they really don’t need to be here if they don’t want to,” Stowers said. “They can tell their family members, ‘I don’t like it. It’s boring.’ ”
Knowing that clients have a choice is motivating to the center’s staff to be sure to find ways to engage the clients, and to encourage them to interact with each other, she said.
“It really pushes us to find activities that they would really like to do, so they enjoy coming back every day,” she said.
“I haven’t heard one person say ‘I’m bored’ yet,” said Phyllis Bross, a CARES board member, who was at the center one recent morning.
The center gives the clients a place to meet new friends, both Stowers and Bross said.
They won’t become isolated, Bross said, noting that can easily happen if a person doesn’t get out to meet new people.
Besides letting the community know about the available service, the staff wants to invite anyone who is interested in volunteering to step forward.
“Volunteers are so helpful,” Stowers said. She’s looking for people who have special talents or hobbies, to help make the activities more engaging.
She’s also looking for people who don’t mind taking on some chores.
She could use people who want to help in the kitchen, or do clerical work, or merely provide companionship for clients by talking or listening to them.
The center has the capacity for 100 clients. So far, it has 16. Stowers expects the number to increase, as people become aware of the service.
The center is one of six in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The two locations in Pasco County are in New Port Richey and Dade City.
CARES receives support from Hillsborough and Pasco counties, the Area Agency on Aging, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the United Way of Pasco County, and Senior Connection Center Inc.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer or needs more information, should call Stowers at (813) 570-7901.
“Living Well into the Future”
What: Jeremy Ewbank will perform as Elvis, Diane Hunter will give a presentation on a healthy body and mind, and Phyllis Bross will present on the accessibility and importance of Alzheimer Support Groups.
Where: CARES Adult Day Care at Northlake Community Center, 2640 N. Lakeview Drive in Tampa.
Who: All are welcome
World Alzheimer’s Day event
What: The staff will decorate the center in purple, and people will wear purple to bring awareness to World Alzheimer’s Day. Phyllis Bross will present on the importance of Alzheimer Support Groups and forever learning. Diane Hunter will present on a healthy body and mind.
When: Sept. 21, beginning at 10 a.m.
Where: CARES Adult Day Care at Northlake Community Center, 2640 N. Lakeview Drive in Tampa
Who: All are welcome
Published September 16, 2015
