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New adult health center provides care, supports human dignity
By Andrew Junker, ajunker@catholicsun.org
November 6, 2008
When the Foundation for Senior Living designed its newest adult day health center, they wanted to create a place that was homier and more functional than the church halls they were used to renting.
The brand new 18,000-square-foot Monsignor Edward J. Ryle Center certainly fulfills the foundation’s desire for functionality. It includes a number of multipurpose rooms, a fully functional kitchen, offices for staff, a “spa” for the clients’ physical rehab and 17 spacious bathrooms.
As for creating a greater home-like atmosphere — well, as the cars and minivans lined up at the center’s entrance the morning of Oct. 27, and the seniors and younger adults with brain injuries entered the lobby, it was clear they felt right at home.
They called out to the receptionist as they entered and many gave her a big hug. She, in turn, led them into the center’s main community area and asked if they would like coffee or orange juice.
The clients made their way to café tables or over-stuffed chairs. They greeted one another and settled in for one of the morning’s activities: the newspaper.
A foundation employee was reading the Dear Abby advice column to the seniors who were quick to offer their own advice when they thought Abby was wrong.
“What does this letter teach us?” the employee asked the group. “You can’t change anyone else. You can only change yourself.”
That might be true, but a little help from others doesn’t hurt.
Joan Lazok could tell you as much. The 76-year-old St. Catherine of Siena parishioner has been going to the foundation’s adult day health centers for two years.
“When I first came, I was afraid of doing anything,” Lazok said. “But then I just got involved and started to do things.”
As she wheeled herself over to the center’s spacious kitchen counter, a host of other clients called out to her — “Hi, Joan. How are you this morning?” one asked.
“I just like talking to people now,” Lazok said.
The Monsignor Edward J. Ryle Center opened Aug. 18 and combined two previous adult day health centers at South Mountain and in central Phoenix. It’s licensed to care for as many as 135 people a day, but right now its occupancy is between 80 and 85 a day.
Its clients are adults ages 18 to 50 who have suffered traumatic brain injury and seniors, who have an array of diagnoses like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or diabetes.
“Our goal is just to provide a safe environment and meet the needs of the clients medically — medical, social and dietary,” said Donna Albano, a co-director of the center.
“It’s really nice to be able to help somebody and see the progress,” she said. “Some of these folks don’t really have a lot of family support.”
That’s why the center tries so hard to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Joan Lazok lives with her son Joe, who provides her with primary care. As any caregiver knows, it can be a taxing and exhausting calling.
“I needed some time for myself during the day,” Joe said. “And she loves it. She loves going, likes bingo a lot and the cooking.”
Across the large, naturally lit room, another foundation employee sits with the younger adults who have sustained brain injuries. He, too, is reading the newspaper and engaging the clients.
Later in the day, at lunchtime, the clients will each be asked if they prefer a hot or a cold lunch. The center asks its clients questions and respects their preferences as a way of recognizing their dignity.
“A lot of the decision making has been taken away from them,” explained co-director Mary Pat Sharp. “They come here and we focus on giving them back as much of their decision making process as possible.”
The clients also sit on participation councils where they can make suggestions to the staff and suggest new activities.
Out in the main room, the clients are doing their morning exercises. As they sit in their chairs, a staff member instructs them to point their toes up (that’s “one”), point them across the room (that’s “two”), point them back up (“three”) and finally point them at the floor (“four”).
“One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four,” the participants called out.
Sharp said that everything at the center facilitates caring for, respecting and honoring these clients.
“The idea behind the whole facility is to provide something beautiful, a haven for them to come here everyday,” she said. “That’s a dignity issue, too.”
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