A new adult day care program is meeting a variety of needs for seniors and their families.

On April 1, the Raleigh County Commission on Aging began providing adult day care services at the center on City Avenue.

“We were very surprised at the response,” said Sherry Lucero, program coordinator. “We haven’t publicized it much. Mostly, it’s been by word of mouth, but we’ve had a good response.”

The new services fall into the continuum of long-term care, she said. “It allows seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible, by providing families and caregivers with support and services necessary to assist in caring for their loved ones. It’s the only one of its kind in Raleigh County at this time.”

Adult day care is provided from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and transportation is available in the Beckley area.

“This assists families who have to work. If they need to bring a loved one in during the day, they can know the person is in good hands for the day,” Lucero said.

Following a social model rather than a medical model, the program provides a respite or relief of caring for loved ones. It can be used one day a week, a few hours a week or one day a week here and there as needed.

“While the program provides direct services to those seniors who come into the facility, it also gives much consideration to the diverse needs of the family as a whole,” Lucero said.

The staff does not provide medical services or assist with medications, and no physical or occupational therapy is offered, Lucero said.

“If the family signs permission for us to give the dosage of a prescribed medication, we can do that, but that’s as far as we can go in terms of medical issues. We do have nurses available if a general need arises, but the adult day care is not designed as a type of nursing home care,” she said.

The program provides three reimbursable services — direct supervision, nutrition and transportation in the greater Beckley area. The direct supervision ensures that while an individual is at the facility, program participants are accounted for, safe and have the opportunity to participate in activities that are entertaining and designed for their skill level.

The nutrition service offers a morning snack, a hot, nutritious lunch and an afternoon snack for participants who are at the center during those hours.

The transportation service offers pick-up and/or drop-off within a 15-mile radius of the center. Transportation services begin pick-up at 9 a.m. and drop-off at 3 p.m.

In order to participate, families or caregivers must fill out an enrollment packet with information to provide the staff with insight into the specific needs of their loved one.

“Because our priority is the safety of participants and staff, we are unable to provide services to seniors who may be a danger to themselves or others,” Lucero said. “We are also unable to provide services to seniors who are incontinent because our facility is not equipped with the resources necessary to meet that specific need.”

For more information, call 255-1397.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com