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Seniors from defunct county program in Austintown find new home
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Edward Gabrick builds a Whirly Jig at the Senior Independence Adult Day Care Center in Boardman, the new home for people who used to be clients of the Mahoning County Adult Day Care program operated by the district board of health.
AUSTINTOWN
More than a few tears were shed by clients and staff at the closing of the Mahoning County Adult Day Care program.
Faced with losing their home away from home, and for what many consider their family, the program’s clients decided to transfer as a group to the Senior Independence Adult Day Care Center in Boardman’s Huntington Woods Plaza.
The program closed July 28. It’s a gradual transition, with the change in environment and staff and getting to know other Senior Independence clients. But they are blending in, said Heather Sedlacek, director of the Senior Independence center.
“They are pretty willing to accept the change and roll with the punches,” she said.
To ease the transition, Senior Independence clients went to the adult day care center operated by the Mahoning County District Board of Health for an ice-cream social; and Senior Independence staffers visited them several times before the move, Sedlacek said.
“They are beginning to make new friends, and the Senior Independence clients are excited to have new friends to talk to and do activities with,” she said.
“Everything is fine ... very nice,” Edward Gabrick said of the Senior Independence facility.
Gabrick, who had been in the county program about 14 years, is a former industrial engineer at Amweld Building Products in Niles who builds intricate Whirly Jigs. He said the county clients were able to bring with them the projects on which they were working.
“I liked the other [county] place better,” said Joe Bartos, who likes to regale people with New York Yankees lore. He said there was no choice but to move, but also said he is getting used to the Senior Independence facility.
With a group of new people in their midst, Senior Independence clients also are faced with making an adjustment.
But, said Juanita Burgy, who has been at Senior Independence for about three years, the new clients are “beautiful people. I just love them.”
The primary reason for closing the county facility was cuts in grants, said Patricia Sweeney, county health commissioner.
The PASSPORT and Title III B grants, received through the Area Agency on Aging 11, were cut in half by state and federal sources, making it impossible to maintain the program, she said.
The Ohio Department of Aging’s PASSPORT program helps Medicaid-eligible Ohioans over 60 get the long-term services and support they need to stay in their homes. Title III B provides legal and other services for seniors.
The county adult day care program was started in 1974 by Helen Mager, then-Mahoning County District Board of Health nursing director. It was the only adult day care program in the state operated by a health department.
“We regret that the program couldn’t continue,” Sweeney said.
“But, it is not a core public health service; and in an environment of funding cuts, we have to put the money we have into core services. It was a tough decision, particularly because of the relationships. The clients were family to the staff and vice versa,” she said.
Closing the program also resulted in the loss of three jobs.
The program’s two full-time employees — Joyce Naymick, activities director for 23 years; and William Michael, bus driver for 20 years — retired. The part-time nurse was laid off.
“I feel we provided a valuable service to fragile seniors for over 30 years through the generosity of the health board, the Area Agency on Aging 11 and the Lariccia family, which donated $300,000 to the program over the last five years,” said Diana M. Colaianni, county health department nursing director and adult day care center project manager.
“We are happy that our community partner is able to give them service. The clients were like family to us, and we were like family to them. I’m going to miss the clients and the staff. Closing was kind of poignant. We worked so hard to get them to the beautiful new space. We put a lot of work into the program,” Colaianni said.
The center was moved to 110 Westchester Drive in Austintown in 2012 after its previous home, the Mahoning County Annex on Market Street, was closed.
In a parting letter to the clients, the staff said in part:
“The word ‘senior’ had little meaning to us when we started here. During the years, ‘senior’ became all life experiences rolled into one.”
“Each one of you has been an inspiration to us. We’ve loved that you shared your history with us through stories and memories. Yes, we shared stories. We look back on some and smile and laugh. Others bring tears to our eyes.”
“Thank you for teaching us to age with dignity and grace ... and allowing us to become a part of your life.”
“Your friendship is more than a blessing ... at times it has been our saving grace. We will miss you madly,” the letter concluded.