Group to add adult day care to meet needs of residents

The day-care service will include activities to challenge both mind and body.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- In about two weeks, adult day care will be one of the services to receive funding from donations to United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County.
The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association, a United Way agency, is about to offer adult day care at its offices at 718 E. 3rd St.
The association is one of 21 agencies that receive funding through the local United Way campaigns.
Patricia Flamino is director of clinical services for the association and will manage the day care, to be known as the Salem Area Adult Daycare Center.
She said she and other association members assessed the needs of area residents and the various options available for adult day care before deciding what type of services to offer. She said they toured several facilities around Ohio and Pennsylvania where adult day care is already established.
The adult day care area consists of a common room with tables, chairs and recliners designed for comfortable, yet functional seating, and a smaller room where participants may read, watch television or meet for group discussions. There also is a computer with Internet access so participants can search Web sites or use the computer for word processing.
Flamino said the association plans to offer activities such as crafts, card and board games, and light exercise, to challenge both mind and body.
A light breakfast, warm lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day, with the center open Monday through Friday.
Eligibility
Adult day care will be available for adults who are at least 18 and need some degree of adult supervision.
People who need extensive nursing care or who routinely display inappropriate social behavior will not be eligible, she said.
She said association members want to work with area physicians and other health-care providers to ensure participants' medical needs are met.
She said association members encourage physical therapists, for example, to conduct sessions with participants while they are at the day care. Association members also would like to see students enrolled in area nursing or other health-care programs to interact with day-care participants.
Flamino said the day-care setting also will be ideal for high school students earning community service credit, or for members of church or civic organizations who want to be involved in the community.
Adults interested in day-care services can refer themselves or be referred by a family member or health care provider. The cost is $45, $55 or $65 per day, depending on the level of service needed.
Day care will be offered to individuals on a regular basis or even just a few days a year, she said. The association can take up to 30 participants each day, she said.
Nutrition program
Also in the association's building is the Salem site for the Columbiana County Senior Nutrition Program. The nutrition program also receives United Way funding.
Columbiana County residents at least 60 years old or those of any age whose spouses are at least 60 may come to the association's building for lunch or have meals delivered to their homes.
The nutrition program staff can serve about 35 people in the dining room. Meals consist of meat, vegetables, fruit, bread and butter, dessert and milk. The suggested cost is $1.25 per meal. Registration for the nutrition program is through the Columbiana County Community Action Agency.
Salem adult day care is just one of the services offered by the association, Flamino said. The association offers nursing care for patients in Columbiana County and those in southern Mahoning County townships along the Columbiana County border.
Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association has been serving Salem area residents since it was established by the National Red Cross in 1919. The association purchased the YWCA property, its current location, and built a single-story, 18,400-square-foot building.
Besides the association and the nutrition program, the building also houses The Lincoln Learning Center, a pediatric day-care center, and Home Care Advantage. Home Care Advantage provides nursing care, companionship, and light housekeeping services to enable individuals to be cared for in the privacy of their home.
tullis@vindy.com