Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville Thrives on Community Support
Dec 04, 2017
Email US
Click to Email Us
Community support in the form of generous time, personal resources and donations has been the key to the revitalization of EAC. Pro bono assistance from SCORE Fox Valley, counselors partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided EAC with marketing acumen and strategic planning assistance. Sikich LLP of Naperville will design a new logo characterizing the EAC mission, and several individuals have agreed to offer much-needed interior design consultation.
At the EAC annual fundraiser, the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club awarded EAC with a generous donation. In October and November, EAC was the recipient of quarterly donations from both the Medinah and Naperville Chapters of the 100+WomenWhoCare charitable organization. Publicity and energy from these donations have catalyzed robust community support.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, two anonymous donors each pledged to match $10,000 in year-end donations to Ecumenical Adult Care. Every dollar donation received by EAC through December 31, 2017, will be matched 200%, up to $10,000.
Ecumenical Adult Care provides caregiver respite for a fraction of the cost of home care or institutional adult care, and the importance of these services cannot be overstated. As an EAC participant caregiver poignantly remarked, For my mother to maintain her independence, I had to lose mine.
The impact of EAC is also significant. Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, triggered by Lyme disease. At 55, she was still very active, and her husband needed to continue to work. For two years, Mary came to EAC five days a week.
Adopting the best friend approach to participant care, EAC staff accommodated Marys need to walk continually throughout the day. Knowing that she played the guitar prior to her disease, EAC also recruited a volunteer guitar player. Although Mary couldnt speak, she listened and sang along with the Peter, Paul and Mary songs he played. It is this combination of professional and volunteer care that is the cornerstone of EACs success over the past almost 35 years.
But more support is needed. Indeed, it is only through grants, generous donations and community support that EAC can continue to provide quality and affordable adult day services. Fully 100% of donations go toward center operation and client care, allowing EAC to renovate its facility and adult activities. Gifts are tax deductible and due to these two anonymous donors, each dollar provides EAC with 3Xs the donated value.
To support this mission, please send a check payable to Ecumenical Adult Care to 305 W. Jackson Ave, Naperville, Il 60540. Donations can also be made directly on the Ecumenical Adult Care website or through Facebook.
Other Articles You May Like
Grandfriends Adult Day Program: Compassionate Care for Adults Living with Dementia
GrandFriends Adult Day Program: Compassionate Care for Adults Living with DementiaThe GrandFriends Adult Day Program, located at the Via Health, Fitness, and Enrichment Center, has provided a safe and engaging environment for adults living with dementia for the past 30 years. Our mission is to offer older adults who need supervision and daily care with opportunities to stay mentally and physically healthy. Participation in the program can often delay or prevent the need for placement in a nursing home.Benefits of Adult Day ProgramsAdult day programs play a vital role in maintaining health and independence by providing: Enhanced Independence Encourages self-sufficiency in a supportive environment. Social Engagement Stimulates alertness and activity through meaningful interactions. Structured Activities Creates a sense of routine and anticipation. Physical Exercise Helps reduce anxiety, improve stamina, enhance balance, and promote better sleep. Support for CaregiversCaring for a loved one with dementia while managing work and family responsibilities can be overwhelming. GrandFriends offers caregivers much-needed respite, ensuring their loved ones receive professional and compassionate care in a secure setting.Program Expansion and Grant SupportIn August 2024, Via was one of 21 recipients selected to receive grant funding from the Alzheimers Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). This funding has allowed us to: Expand Program Space Providing a more comfortable and accommodating environment. Hire Additional Staff Ensuring a 1:4 caregiver-to-client ratio for personalized care. Enhance Technology Introducing smart boards for interactive experiences like movies, museum tours, virtual bird watching, chair yoga, and games. Offer Individualized Programming Tablets with specialized games and activities tailored to each participants needs. Improve Transportation Services Clients within a 15-mile radius can access transportation for $3 per one-way trip. Program Details Hours: MondayFriday, 7:30 AM 5:30 PM (accommodating caregiver work schedules). Cost: $55 per day (one day per week) $50 per day (two or more days per week) To schedule a tour and assessment for your loved one, contact: Christy Harvison, GrandFriends Supervisor 251-470-5228 charvison@viamobile.org "This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $6,607,011 with 75 percent funded by ACL/HHS and $1,620,872 with 25 percent funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government."
Grandfriends Adult Day Program Provides Compassionate Care for Adults Living with Dementia
GrandFriends Adult Day Program Provides Compassionate Care for Adults Living with Dementia The Grandfriends Adult Day Program, housed within the Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center, is an adult day program for adults living with dementia. Our mission is to provide older adults who need supervision and daily care with opportunities to stay mentally and physically healthy and avoid being placed in a nursing home. Last year we were approved as a provider through the Department of Veteran Affairs Community Care Network. This means veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system are now eligible for adult day care services at Via at no cost to them through their VA benefits.Adult day programs promote improved health by offering older adults a place to go each day to receive care, nutritious meals, mental and physical stimulation, and companionship. Benefits to seniors in adult daycare include: Helps preserve independence. Provides an opportunity to socialize, resulting in increased alertness and activity. Activities provide more structure, giving older adults something to anticipate and look forward to. Physical exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety, improves stamina, health and balance and improves sleep. Caring for loved ones with dementia while managing work and family obligations is challenging. GrandFriends provides respite, allowing caregivers to continue life knowing their loved one is in a safe and caring environment. The program provides health and socialization benefits to clients living with dementia, including group fitness activities, games and activities that stimulate mental health, and socialization with peers.The program runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the work schedule of caregivers. The cost is $55 a day for one day a week or $50 a day for two or more days. This fee covers breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as most activity supplies. Transportation to and from the program within a 15-mile radius of The Via Center which is is also available at $3.00 for a one-way trip.The Via Center is centrally located at 1717 Dauphin Street in Mobile, Alabama. To schedule a tour and assessment of your loved one, contact our GrandFriends Supervisor, Christy Harvison, at 251-470-5228 or charvison@viamobile.org.
Senior LIFE: Where Care & Community Come Together
As seniors grow older, their circle of friends, acquaintances, and even family draws tighter especially if their health or other circumstances prevents them from getting out as much as they did previously. For the senior caregiver, the world also tends to become smaller, as a significant amount of their time is dedicated to the needs of their loved one at the expense of personal pursuits. The needs of seniors and the responsibilities of caregivers grow and change over time, but what can remain constant is the support networks available to provide assistance.While there are many wonderful resources available at the state and national level including the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), and others, Senior LIFE through its LIFE Health and Wellness Centers provides a broad range of customized services that encompass both the health & wellness and emotional/social support needs of seniors and their family caregivers alike.As a uniquely structured and positioned entity in the senior healthcare space, Senior LIFE offers eligible participants access to local LIFE Health and Wellness Centers. These centers, which function similarly to a senior center but with the added benefit of providing comprehensive healthcare through an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, therapists, and others, are warm and inviting places where seniors can socialize, receive hot meals, and freely interact within a vibrant community of their own.Program participants are given access to a dedicated social worker who helps manage and coordinate care while also addressing emotional, family, and social needs. Senior LIFE social workers serve as a trusted liaison for caregivers who they communicate with regularly. Social workers are also able to connect you with additional resources within your community, as well as provide family support and individual counseling.Senior LIFEs array of in-home care services also work to expand the caregiver network into a senior participants home, which can give family caregivers a much needed respite and peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is in good hands and someone is checking in during the day. In-home care can include compassionate personal care services designed to help seniors maintain independence and dignity. These services include help with dressing, toileting, showering or bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and more.At Senior LIFE, we believe that living independently doesnt mean you have to go it alone. Part of our core mission of keeping seniors in their homes entails creating meaningful and productive connections that foster community for both the senior participant and the family caregiver. To learn more, visit us at www.SeniorLIFEPA.com or call 1-877-998-LIFE (5433).