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Show Wednesday, August 27, 2003 Vernal Express B1 Community Calendar August 28 UEtte dance and drill clinic Never dull mo men ft By Maureen Spencer Express Writer ITietr steps may be a little slower than some. Their eyesight possibly dimming from years past. But for the men and women who attend the Uintah Adult Day Center program, there is always something to do and interesting things to look forward to every day they attend. Adult Day Center gives seniors a safe, stimulating place to be supervised, fed and entertained. Care Center director Wayne Dunbar says the program is a community service for caregivers who need respite from the heavy responsibilities incurred with normal care, f amilies are increasingly finding themselves needing to provide for infirm, older family members. Day Care floor manager. Dawn Huber is also a Therapeutic Recreational Technician who feels the responsibility for providing individualized programs for Day Care patrons. All of the staff are qualified professionals who offer companionship and assistance to their clients. It is not unusual to enter the Day Care rooms and find a staff member deep in a conversation with a just encouraging the memories to be shared and wonderful emotions of days gone by revis24-ho- ur ited. Sometimes a client will be confused or unhappy, and the same concern is shown as a listening staff member helps encourage or soothe the turmoil being shared. Patrons of the program are adults with memory impairment and folks who cannot be left alone, Other adults may have physical or mental disabilities. Those who need supervision are welcomed also. area of assistance Another addressed at the center is the social isolation that many seniors face. Adults who live alone or who may be experiencing depression are welcomed into the pmgram. All of the adults attending benefit from the companionship and concern they experience at the center during the daytime hours. Staff members woik closely with families in developing a program to meet both the client and family needs. The large, spotless Day Care rooms, and spacious new gathering room they share with the Uintah Care Center are frequently used for the energetic activities and concerts given by community volunteers. Dawn and her staff are constantly working on programs for their adult chaiges that will help the individual maintain or even retrieve some lost abilities. Music is a frequent part of the clients life at the center. Old time songs, recorded and played at a volume that all can hear, are a regular part of a weeks recreation. Books printed in extra large and dark type arc given to everyone so that the is for everybody. g The tune and rhythm this group can belt out is surprisingly accurate and enjoyable. The physical needs of aging arc always a concern. The more motion aft senior center an individual maintains, the better their physical well being will continue as well as their mental abilities. As a result many activities seem juvenile, but are as important for the elderly as for a child. Ball tossing, stretching, rhythm activities and music all encourage increased heart rates and better circulation, as coordination and muscles get a workout. Keeping old skills alive, and interest levels high, hobbies and crafts are frequently activities. The simple skill of coloring pictures gives clients enjoyment and accomplishment. Food nourishes the body with attractive meals served and energy producing snacks. Day Care staff also uses food as an opportunity to stimulate muscles, memories and the sense of being part of accomplishing a good goal. Clients regularly get together und help make a salad, or bake deserts in the Day Care kitchendining room. And supervision, one of the main things that families know their loved ones need, is a constant provision by Dawns observant staff. or If physical, occupational speech therapy is prescribed by a personal physician, the client will receive these benefits, also. The issues of aging are something that many families are finding themselves facing as knowledge and medical care are producing an older population. The Care Center staff is a community resource for education regarding the needs of the elderly. The impact of Day Care services on an individual and the quality of family life, may best be demonstrated with the experiences of Lelah (name changed for privacy) Lelah had to be brought into one of her childrens homes because of advancing dementia, suspected to in a be developing stage Alzheiiners. Lelah was a danger to herself in many ways. While living by herself she would leave the kitchen stove burners on, and, failing to remember how hot and dangerous a burner was, would set flammable materials performance for parents. TOPS meets in Conference Room of Vernal City Building 1 1 12:30 p.m. Gwen a.m. to Peterson, Open House 11:30 to 12:30. Alive After Five free public concerts, concessions at Cobble Rock Park, beginning at 6 p.m. Uintah County Library closes early, 5 p.m. County summer 789-835- 6. party. Bureau of Land Management Uintah Basin Natural Gas Project 9 p.m. at public meeting. Western Park, 302 East 200 South. 7-- August 29 UEtte dance and drill clinic perfc nuance at football game. f ommunity dance at Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West, 8:30-10:3- 0 every Friday night. All welcome. Kays Band provides the music. August 30 Uintah High School Class of 1978 Reunion. Western Park 6:30 p.m. Information, 789-737- delicious salad is on its way with the help of Black and Roween Duncan. A on the stove causing minor fires. She stored frozen cans of grape in her cupboards, and when the expanding, pulrified juice Billie Hadlock, Care Center director Wayne Dunbar, Percy exploded into her kitchen, would call her family terrified that some-juic- e one was "shooting at her and that there was bkxxl all over her kitchen flixir. Her family began taking regular daily meals in to her because she wouldnt remember to eat. As months passed, it was clear that she had to be monitored to eat the delicious meals, because she would save the ftxxl in the refrigerator for company, or throw the food away believing it to be bad for her health. The crisis which brought her immediately into a family home was the stormy winter night that she was found leaving her front dexir without a coat, having a nightgown over her arm, and determined that she would be safer from "them" out in the heavy blizzard. The need for her continuous supervision had been solved, but the shock waves to a family with children still living at home, were nearly crippling. Schixil needs of the children still a reluchad to be addressed-taki- ng tant, paranoid, "wandering grandconferma along to parent-teachences and school activities. Family needs, namely the birth of a grandchild which required Lclahs daughter to leave town and care for the recovering new mother and newborn for a week, had to include taking Lelah along because there was no one at home to care for the debilitated older woman. The work for Ixdahs family then was to care for a newborn, three small siblings, a weakened new mother and a menhours a tally ill grandmother-2- 4 August 31 Labor Day celebration parade, Flaming Gorge. Stella Starr enjoys Day Care bus rides to interesting sites. day. Back at home Lelah began sleeplong hours every day, while developing a growing sundown-in- g (i.e. wandering throughout the entire night.) She spoke less, understood less, and became more belligerent to those around her. The family income was cut in half as Ilahs daughter had to quit her job to supervise grandma in her new living conditions. After a few months, a friend of the family contacted Adult Day Care to initiate a contact with the family to see if Lelah would qualify for this service. Interviews were held, a few simple papers filled out, arrangement made for the fees, and Lelah became a Day Care client five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family returned to "normal, and her daughter began working once more. Within a few months Ixdah began speaking to others in a manner that soon became pleasant and happy. She began to help get herself dressed each morning so she would be ready to go to schtxil", her appetite returned and all meals were devoured. She chatted about her friends at schixl". She couldnt wait to go for the drives taken in the Center bus to parks, scenic places, the fair and picnics. Ixlah attended Day Care for three years prior to her death, enjoying a quality of life that would have been impossible without the program. Her family was free of the heavy minute to minute responsibilities of her being at home during the daytime. The daily lee for attendance is $35. This fee includes all activities, meals and snacks. Transportation is provided by the Golden Age Center. Families interested in this program for adults may call for further information. Dawn and her dedicated Day Care staff is prepared to help. ing Percy Black prepares to win another checker game. 781-353- t COPY 5. 1 September Uintah County Library closed. Labor Day. September 2 School begins for most schools. begins Kindergarten Sept. 1 1 . The Vernal Ladies of Elks opening social will be held at 8 p.m. at the Vernal Elks Lodge. Uintah School of Music and the Arts open enrollment. Sept. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For informa2 tion call Angela, or 2-- 5, 781-287- 789-975- 0. Vernal Area Chamber of Nikis Commerce, noon, Restaurant. Entrepreneur Fred Lampropoulos, speaking. September 3-- 7 Meeker Classic Championship Trials. Sheepdog 2 September3 Uintah Basin Energy Days. Deadline for RSVP for Soil Conservation Daggett District Conservation Tour, Saturday, Sept. 6, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. RSVP Lesa Asay, 435-78- 4 3222, Carol Gardiner, Registration for all classes at 6 the Powerhouse, p.m. For information, 2-- 781-144- 9 1 0. September 4 Uintah Basin Energy Days. TOPS meets in Conference Room of Vernal City Building 1 1 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gwen Peterson, Open House 11:30 to 12:30. Alive After Five free public concerts, concessions at Cobble Rock Park, beginning at 6 p.m. 789-835- 6. September 5 Community dance at Golden Age Center, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. September 9 AVMC and Cancer Support Network present For Better Bone Health seminar re: Healthy Bone Bones, Osteoporosis, Metatasis, Breast Cancer, begins at noon. 162 West 200 North, white building north of hospital. ext. Cindy Hancock 287. Uintah County Library, class with The Scrapbooking Robins Nest. 6:30-- 8 p.m. New techniques and make and take. Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, Nikis noon, Restaurant. Speaker of the Utah State House of Representatives. 789-334- 2, September 10 AVMC and Cancer Support Network present For Better Bone Health seminar re: link between prostate cancer and bone health. Osteoporosis and bone metatasis. Begins at noon. 162 West 200 North (white building north of hospital.) Cindy Hancock ext. 287. 789-334- September 2, 11 Kindergarten begins in Uintah School District. To place items of public interest on the Community Calendar mail to the Vernal Express, P.O. Box 1000, editor vcmal com, or call the Vernal Express at 789-351- moment of friendship at Day Care. i and 784-344- er sing-alon- Care piano. 2. |