ATHOL – To Kathy Kilhart, a person’s well-being is detrimental to their wellness. As Director of Elder Services for GVNA HealthCare, Kilhart, a registered nurse who has been in the field for 32 years, has seen its North Quabbin Adult Day Health program positively affect a client with dementia. “We have heard from multiple people that they’ve noticed a change in the demeanor when the person is at home. They can make more conversation,” and it can enhance their quality of life.
According to Kilhart, the center’s mission is “to help individuals remain independent in their community while giving their caregiver peace of mind knowing that their loved one is in a safe, home-like environment. This option can relieve the caregiver of worry while they are working or just trying to live their own lives as well as delay long term placement for their loved one.”
Located at 1471 Main St. behind Larry’s Variety, the light-filled main room is used for dining, socializing and activities. A wall-mounted television plays a live feed of an eagle cam, a popular program with the clients.
There is a kitchen area operated by cook Lurene Hall who provides breakfast, afternoon snacks, lunch, and a new menu monthly. There is also a “quiet room” for relaxing, a shower room, bathrooms and a nurse’s office with a bed. Outside the window of the room that is in the process of becoming another activity space is a “memory garden” with seating.
Kilhart has often heard from people and caregivers that they weren’t aware of the center and wish that they had known about it sooner. “We’re kind of a hidden gem,” she said. “Word of mouth is number one.” An entrance sign posted on Main Street points in the direction of the building but is not always noticed.
The not-for-profit GVNA HealthCare began as the Gardner Visiting Nurses Association in 1906 and its outreach now extends from Charlemont to Ayer. There are four adult day health service centers located in Greenfield, Fitchburg, Gardner and Athol, all overseen by Kilhart. She and others recently developed a PowerPoint presentation of all four centers that targets caregivers.
Carol Cormier, a full-time registered nurse provides chronic care management, including monthly health monitoring with blood pressure and weight checks. Kilhart said having a nurse in-house all day helps keep the clients out of the emergency room and decreases re-admissions. A pilot study was done of all four centers, and of the 291 clients, only one was readmitted to the hospital, she said.
The center also staffs part-time social worker Rebecca Hadmack and program aide Lynn Scott.
“We develop a comprehensive care plan that reflects on their medical needs and activities of daily living (ADL)” which can involve help with walking, ambulation, toileting, showering and feeding. There is a daily group exercise program and after-lunch activities for individuals such as reading. “We use YouTube a lot,” Kilhart said. On President’s Day, they watched a documentary about the holiday and followed with discussions about it.
She said the clients sleep better at night because “we keep them busy during the day,” with the help of activities coordinator Margaret Aguda. Some of this month’s activities include a spiritual sing along, golf bean bag, cards, scavenger hunt, movie of the month, wear purple day, and a Memorial Day remembrance with patriotic singing and music. “I think sometimes people think we’re a bingo hall,” Kilhart said. Although it is not a nursing home or a drop-center, “there are these hidden things that we do that are critical and keep them out of nursing homes.”
Some of the clients are more dependent than others. Kilhart said she has had clients transition more easily into a nursing home from the center “because they have that structured routine down pat.” She said that sometimes it’s a hard sell for family members but some have said how surprised they were to learn how their loved ones enjoyed going to the day program.
People age 18 and over with a medical need like an ADL can qualify. People who live alone can come in for lunch and a snack. Families are invited to take a 1 ½ hour tour of the center. Transportation is available through MART for an additional fee.
The Adult Day Health center is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is based on a sliding scale through various health providers. The fee to use the center is $60 a day, or $10 an hour.
For more information, contact Kathy Kilhart at 978-248-9470, or visit www.gvnahealthcare.org.