Adult day care centers: more than a place to socialize

BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Increasingly, more adult day care centers are offering medical oversight. Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center in Branford has offered families that kind of care for 30 years.

During lunch time at the Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center it was a packed dining room.

Stephanie Evans-Ariker is Executive Director.

"I'd say probably about 75 percent of our clientele does have some form of dementia," Ariker said.

Among them is Vivian Ventura, who stops in twice a week.

Her husband Dominic says, "gives me time for myself and I feel comfortable because I know that she's really being cared for here."

Ellsworth Jaspersohn's daughter says he looks forward to his social time.

Carlene Granata says, "on the days when he's coming to the center, he is up early, he's dressed and shaved and ready to go. He's alert and he's bright, he's mentally very clear."

Also comforting, Orchard House is among the adult day cares in the state offering medical monitoring.

A licensed registered nurse is on site every day it's open.  

"We are able to basically oversee most medical issues that would require nursing intervention, so that would be handling insulin administration for clients that are diabetics, for just managing medication," Ariker said.

She adds the medical model offers flexibility.

"You can always, as a client is here with you, add services as they are needed and as the client's needs change," Ariker 

Challenging needs to meet because Orchard House is a non-profit center.  It relies heavily on private donations and funding support from community agencies.

However, without it, families on a fixed income like the Ventura's could not afford to go there.

"It's, I feel like here, it's family. Someone told me about it and it at the time I wasn't sure what I was going to do or where I was going to go and I just needed something."

Carlene points out she's blessed that her father "doesn't need medical care, but you don't know what the future is going to bring and it's very comforting to know his needs can be met here."   
   
Orchard House also has a certified dementia care practitioner, someone who develops recreational therapies for people with dementia.