Adult Day/Health Care Center

Adult Day/Health Care Center

Written by Beth Wade Monday, 07 January 2008

The Adult Day/Health Care Center in Round Rock has faced challenges in the past 16 years since it opened, but nothing like the one it is up against now, center director Marty Rose said.

A program operated through Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities, the center may have to close its doors in February unless another group is willing to take over operations or funding becomes available.

“Nobody here is ready for a nursing home. It’s not that they are against nursing homes, it’s that they aren’t ready for that,” Rose said. “But our community doesn’t have any other choice. There is nothing else out there. My fear is that they are going to be left at home alone.”

The center provides care during a 10-hour period each weekday for seniors who live at home, but do not have a caregiver to stay with them during the day.

It is the only one of its kind in Williamson County. One other adult day care is in Travis County, while some other areas like San Antonio can have as many as 60 centers, Rose said.

“They are really servicing their senior population, but their families are utilizing it. Our families [here] aren’t utilizing us,” she said. “I think that it is a lack of knowledge that we exist.”

In December, the day care was serving 33 seniors, but that number changes month to month.

“[We are here to provide] interaction with other people. There is a lot of interaction between people,” Rose said. “The physical activities change with the people here, but we try to keep them as stimulated as possible to the extent that is appropriate. They are adults — they can choose their activities.”

The day care costs approximately $50 a day and accepts Medicaid, Veterans Assistance, private pay and insurance.

Rose is assisted with help from on-site nurse Dorris Ross and activity director Doris Williams, who has been with the center its entire 16 years.

A part-time nurse comes four hours a week, along with a nutritionist who plans meals. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are provided every day.

“We are the next step. When Meals on Wheels isn’t enough, that’s when they should come to us,” Rose said. “When they need more care than just a friendly knock on the door and a good hot meal [we are here.]”

Although the center is located in Round Rock, it serves clients from all over Williamson County, and has a van that picks up clients in Taylor, Georgetown, Hutto and Granger.

Families also bring clients to the center from Cedar Park, Leander and Pflugerville, Rose said.

“I can’t think of the closing because I look at these people,” she said. “They have no idea where they are going to go.”

A day at the center…

• Clients arrive and eat a hot breakfast.
• A nutritionist helps prepare each meal to ensure healthy meals are served.
• Clients can choose from activities such as Bingo, exercise, board games, knitting, arts and crafts and free time.

Adult Day/Health Care Center, 110 S. Brown St. • Round Rock, TX, 512-255-4865, www.adultdayhealthcarecenter.com