SRA: For Seniors, A New Lease On Life

For Annette Gekle, SRA’s Adult Day Care has been a much-needed source of relief as it’s there her mother Lina Tobia enjoys the company of others, works on crafts and eats lunch. “The people at the center are angels, so kind and caring,” says Annette. “Mom’s getting the stimulation there I can’t give her at home and this gives me a breather.”

Every weekday morning Annette Gekle takes her mother to the Senior Resource Association’s Adult Day Care where the elderly woman participates in activities, engages in conversation with others, and eats a nutritious meal. The program, which is open to all Indian River County adults who have physical and/or cognitive limitations or who need professionally supervised socialization, provides respite to caregivers and families seeking to keep a loved one at home for as long as possible.

“Mom’s been with me for five years, and during that time I’ve seen a mental decline, but I don’t want to put her in a nursing home,” Annette explains.

“I’ve been taking her to the center for two years now. While she’s there she talks to people and they work together on things. Mom was a seamstress, always talented and creative, and she’s so proud when she brings home something she’s made.

“When I drop her off she’s so happy to see everyone, and when I pick her up she’s laughing and talking. The people at the center are angels, so kind and gentle. Deep down Mom is still there and they bring that out. Her face shines in the morning when she sees them and when I pick her up in the afternoon she wants to take them home with her.“Mom’s also getting the stimulation there I can’t give her at home and this gives me a breather. I don’t know what I’d do without the SRA. It’s been a godsend.”

Annette is not the only one who feels that way. According to Karen Deigl, the not-for-profit’s President and CEO, over 2,100 individuals receive direct services on a daily basis; add to that others the organization touches indirectly and the numbers swell.

Adult Day Care is just one of many services the United Way agency provides. At the two centers, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., active seniors gather each weekday to take part in a variety of regularly offered activities, classes, informative lectures and convenient services such as hearing tests and blood pressure monitoring. Family members are more than welcome to join in, whether it’s for a round of bingo or scrabble, or listening and dancing to big band music.

Read the entire article in the Summer 2008 issue