Creating moments of joy at IH’s Adult Day Services programs

It’s mid-day at the Adult Day Services program at the Village, and close to two dozen seniors are here for the day. They’ve just finished a light lunch which, along with the day’s schedule, is written on a white board at the back of a long, bright room. Most of the group has moved to an adjoining activity room. Others are being picked up by caregivers—family, loved ones and friends.

Linda arrives to pick up her sister, Elaine, who lives on her own. “It’s a relief to me she’s here,” admits Linda. “I’m taking care of her and me, my home and hers. For three days a week, I know she’s safe here, and I don’t have to worry about her. The day program gives me peace of mind for a few hours.”

Jean helps to see Elaine go off safely. “When the caregivers come and pick their loved ones up, they look a whole lot better,” says Jean. “The caregiver respite is huge, and one of the program’s biggest purposes.”

Meanwhile, cheers, claps and whoops can be heard through the door. The group has taken up a game of chair curling in the activity room using “rocks” that slide across the linoleum floor. On the way to the activity room, Jean waves her arm towards a storage area. “Here we have every sport and game you can imagine,” she shares.

Watching the curling game from the sidelines is Laura Zsipsak, a licensed practical nurse with Interior Health (IH). Hers is a newer role at IH, one designed to bridge Adult Day Services, IH care managers and the clients’ families.

“I see our clients every day and see how they’re interacting. I can note any decline in a client for our care managers, as well as be a face for the families,” she explains. Laura also provides support to caregivers, offering referrals and resources to other community or IH programs. “I can help prevent small issues from becoming larger ones and avoid or delay the client or caregiver needing higher levels of care,” she adds.

Kara Kozuki agrees. The coordinator for Adult Day Services and Assisted Living, South Okanagan says the program is a valuable resource, especially for smaller communities. “The programs are designed to be social and therapeutic and provide opportunities for friendship and camaraderie,” she says. “They are also a safe space where participants can be with others that understand what their day-to-day challenges may look and feel like.”

A day of respite and rest

Monica has been coming to the Adult Day Services program for two years. A four-time cancer survivor, and the eldest of nine children, Monica brings a quiet positivity to the group. “We are all beautifully unique, and we all have our own strengths and gifts to share with each other,” she says. “As long as our hearts are full, we are doing our best to make the best of everything that’s happening to us.”

Husband Dan takes Monica to the Village one day a week. “This is a day of respite and rest for Dan,” says Monica. He does housework, runs errands, plans dinner or enjoys pool, a game he’s played for 60 years and has taught for 40. “We call ADS ‘camp,” laughs Dan. “I really annoy her in the morning when I sing Camptown Ladies before I take her to the Village.”

Creating moments of joy and meaning

As the end of the day approaches, a retired professional pianist has arrived. As she plays songs like My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music on the old upright piano, Jean floats among the clients, making sure they’re comfortable and happy.

“Every single one of our clients is a book,” she says. “They have the most fascinating lives and history, and things they can teach us.”

Jean shares she started her career working with seniors 42 years ago thanks to having “the best grandparents in the world.”

She has spent the past 34 years in Penticton, and 20 of those years at the Village. Jean admits she could—and should—be retired. “But I love my job,” she says. “We provide meaning, self-worth and joy for our clients. In return, I get hugs, I see smiles. People say thank you to me even if they’re not verbal.

“This work is a gift, and I go home every day knowing I’ve made a difference.”

Adult Day Services programs can be found throughout the Interior Health region. “The programs offer social interaction and help maintain dignity and quality of life, while providing caregivers up to six hours a day to focus on their own needs,” says Kara. “ADS is ideal for those who are at risk of losing their independence, but want to continue living at home. We had one client in their 50s join us after they had had a stroke.”  

Programs vary from one to six days per week depending on the community. There is a daily fee for the service.

Learn more

For more information, contact 1-800-707-8550. Make the call yourself, or have a family member, friend, your doctor or any other health-care provider call on your behalf.

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