By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After waiting more than two years, an adult day program in Wood County has been awarded funding by the Ohio Department of Aging and should be serving people with memory problems later this summer.
“It’s something our constituents have been waiting for since we’ve had this building,” Denise Niese, executive director of the Wood County Committee on Aging, said on Thursday. “This is going to be a wonderful service.”
The new Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green was built with an area designed to provide day care for older adults. But more than two years later, the room is still empty.
The Wood County Committee on Aging has been working with MemoryLane Care Services to secure funding for a safe place for people with memory issues to spend their days. The program will also help their families who are trying to keep them at home.
“This will allow caregivers to have a break – for respite or for work,” Niese said.
The need for such services is growing as more older adults have long term care needs, as smaller family sizes mean fewer care options, as home care options become more limited, and as more caregivers remain in the workforce.
Adult day centers provide caregivers with a much-needed break, allow them to continue working and attend to their own needs while giving individuals with memory loss an opportunity to socialize, receive care and participate in programming within a safe, supportive atmosphere.
The senior center will provide the space and pay for utilities, while MemoryLane Care Services will provide staffing and materials. The program will be licensed to serve 22 adults at a time.
Two years ago, MemoryLane conducted a survey of Wood County residents to gauge the level of need for adult day services.
“MemoryLane was surprised at the number of responses they got,” Niese said.
The need was there, but the funding was held up in Columbus.
“We’ve been ready,” Niese said.
The seniors who will be receiving care qualify for nursing home services, explained Salli Bollin, executive director of MemoryLane Care Services. But they and their caregivers want them to stay with family. MemoryLane allows that to happen, she said.
“We’re really excited about being in Bowling Green,” Bollin said.
The facility at the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green would provide socialization, activities, meals and nursing services. Personal care would be provided, including assistance eating, going to the restroom and showering. The program would offer a safe living environment, where families don’t have to worry about their loved one leaving the house or leaving the stove on.
“We built that suite specifically for that,” Niese said of the room designed for adults with cognitive issues brought on by dementia, strokes or head injuries. The area has a separate entrance, a sensory room to give seniors a break from others, a shower in case of bathroom accidents, and an outdoor patio with a fence around it.
Now that the $173,064 has been awarded, Bollin said the necessary steps can be taken to open the program. Those steps include furnishing the center, promoting the program, hiring and training staff.
Bollin acknowledged the shortage of applicants for job openings, but said the program will have a nurse, social worker and activity director on staff every day.
“We will make sure we have the right people,” she said. “We want to provide services that meet people’s needs.”
Loss of memory has a way of shrinking the worlds of older adults.
“This is a great alternative for them. They can get out, see people and do things,” Bollin said.
Since COVID, the day programs to serve seniors with memory loss have been shrinking as well. Nearly half of the adult day care facilities in Ohio have closed and not reopened since COVID hit, Niese said.
Families caring for their loved ones at home have few care options, according to Bollin.
Anyone interested in the adult day program may contact MemoryLane at 419-720-4940.
