Wauseon: Adult day center to offer services

10/20/2004

WAUSEON - An adult day center, operated by Hands of Grace Faith in Action, will open in a church here next month.

It will offer social day services and recreational activities for adults, including people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

During opening day activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23, "people are encouraged to bring their family members in to see the site and talk to the staff," said Charlene Warner, executive director of the nonprofit organization that provides services to frail, elderly, and disabled residents across Fulton County. "It will be a good time to come and find out what the adult day center is about."

The site is in the youth room at St. Caspar Catholic Church, 1205 N. Shoop Ave. The church is donating the space to Hands of Grace for the day center, Mrs. Warner said.

Hands of Grace received a seed grant of $7,500 from the Brookdale Foundation's National Group Respite Program, she said.

"The grant will cover staff costs for the first year and half of the expenses for the second year," she said, noting that she was excited about the grant because there were only 15 awarded in the country. "We are hoping if there is a need we can expand," she said.

For now, the day center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. A homemade lunch will be served. She estimates that eight to 10 people will use the services at the center. There is no charge for the volunteer services, but there is a suggested donation of $20 per day and $15 per half day for center participants. Transportation is available.

People interested in using the center can contact the Hands of Grace office in Delta to enroll. Paperwork can be filled out during the open house on Nov. 23.

Activities at the adult day center, Mrs. Warner said, will include crafts, bingo, card games, exercise, pet therapy, and music programs.

Volunteers interested in assisting at the center can contact the Hands of Grace office to enroll in a training class.

Hands of Grace was formed in 1997 after a five-member steering committee looked into establishing an adult day center. Volunteers found that there was a need to reach out to people in their homes as well, and a survey showed that people were willing to lend a hand.

Since then, the number of participants and volunteers has increased annually. In 2003, 120 volunteers drove 54,067 miles to provide 8,885 hours of service to more than 300 care receivers. Hands of Grace services include respite care, meal preparation, light housework, visits and telephone calls, yard work, shopping, errand service, and grooming and dressing assistance.

Day centers also are operated by Hands of Grace in the Delta United Methodist Church and Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold.