Adult day care can provide
another option for elders
While there are many excellent agencies in our community providing in-home care to elders, there is another option for families who choose to care for their loved ones at home. Those in the “sandwich generation,” as well as elder spouses caring for husbands or wives, will find help in an adult day service program.
Medical care, socialization and recreation are offered in a supported setting. Participation in an adult day service program alleviates loneliness and isolation while promoting health, wellness and good nutrition. Purposeful activities fill hands and minds idled by poor health, dementia and boredom.
Adult day service programs in North Carolina are certified by the Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Aging and Adult Services, and they are monitored by monthly inspections.
Abundant Living Adult Day Services in Salisbury is a certified program providing care Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. to frail elderly and disabled adults. The program employs a full-time registered nurse, certified nursing assistants and activity professionals. Services at the center include bathing, beauty and barber shop services, and physical, speech and occupational therapy. Participants have the opportunity to feel useful and find a sense of community while attending the program, and their caregivers receive much-needed respite.
Additional information on adult day services can be obtained by calling Abundant Living at 704-637-3940. Abundant Living is a United Way agency and a division of Lutheran Services for the Aging.
ó Barbara Garwood
Salisbury
Garwood is executive director of Abundant Living Adult Day Care.
Dancing to the same old tune
Once again, a small group of Republican strategists is playing the American people like a Stradivarius. The party was basically nowhere, with a ticket headed by a rather drab, unimaginative person. Then, on cue, Ms. Sarah leaped onto the stage. The strategists knew this Palin factor would cause a feeding frenzy, gaining more publicity and excitement for the Republicans than anything else could. But most crucially, this orchestrated frenzy took the focus off of Obama.
What new facts do we actually have about the Republican ticket? We know the second fiddle is an evangelical Christian, a woman, a mother, NRA member, a pro-lifer and a two-year governor with a rather thin resume. Does this really qualify her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? What more do we know about McCain? This self- proclaimed independent maverick is willing to follow the well scripted strategies of the party and is willing to cave in to their choice for VP.
We as a people need to stop deifying personality and begin paying attention to substance. We need a wise, intelligent, well disciplined person who can make the thoughtful decisions needed to restore our economy and world reputation. We do not need a leader willing to dance to the maestro’s music to get elected in order to continue carrying the old worn out tunes. I, as a white woman, suspect that if Obama were white, there would be no contest. The choice would be glaringly obvious. Maybe, before November, McCain’s “Straight Talk Express” will get a flat tire and the people of America will think more about what is good for all of us and put old prejudices aside. This is no time to be swindled out of an exceptionally gifted leader.
ó Marion McLaughlin
Salisbury