Our Mission
The Adult Care Center provides assistance to those with conditions impacting memory and independence for the purpose of enriching one's life story through encouraging and engaging services and activities.
Our Values
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History
The Adult Care Center is a non-profit organization that first offered part-time (one afternoon per week) adult care services in August 1993 at First Christian Church in Winchester.
In February 1994, the Center moved to Braddock Street United Methodist Church in Winchester and began full-time operation.
In March 2012, the Center relocated to the Snapp Foundry Building in the Our Health Complex at 411 N. Cameron St. in Winchester.
To-date, the Center has served over four hundred participants ranging in age from 23 to 100 with diagnoses ranging from a fractured hip to Alzheimer's disease (our most prevalent diagnosis).
Throughout its years of service, the Adult Care Center has maintained a reputation of providing quality personalized care to its participants while offering energetic activity programs that are both recreational and therapeutic.
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Memberships
The Adult Care Center is a member of the following organizations:
- Leading Age Virginia
- Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
- Partner Agency of Our Health
United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley
Professional Publications
"Functions of Music Therapy for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders: Model Demonstration Program in Adult Day Healthcare." Michael J. Rohrbacher, Ph.D., MT-BC, Project Manager.
Hugs, kisses and smiles abound at Adult Care Center
By Jackie Puglisi
The Winchester Star
WINCHESTER — Children from Fremont Street Nursery sang, danced and gave lots of hugs to their “gram-friends” at the Adult Care Center of the Northern Shenandoah Valley on Friday morning.
For the past four years, children from the day care have visited twice a week to interact with the older clients as part of the center’s ongoing intergenerational program. During each visit, there are an average of 10 children at the center, which provides adult day services for clients with Alzheimer’s and those who require supervised care.
“Intergenerational activities provide a nurturing component for both age groups,” said Tara Lescalleet, assistant director and activities director. “On many occasions, there are exchanges of hugs, kisses and smiles.”
On Friday, the 3 and 4 year olds started the visit with their “gram-friends” with a song provided by Lescalleet on her guitar. While holding hands with the seated seniors, the children twisted, twirled and sang. Hugs were plentiful and provided a bonding moment.The group was then surprised with a visit from Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch, who gave high fives all around. At the end, everyone sang a goodbye song.
The intergenerational program gives children the chance to develop relationships with people of different ages and abilities. And the clients at the center, some of whom aren’t able to be with their own grandchildren, enjoy seeing a smile on their little buddy’s face.
“The children bring a positive energy to the center,” Lescalleet said. “Many days, our participants ask, ‘Are the children coming today?’ Knowing these individuals have dementia makes us realize just how much of an impact children have on our participants.”
A majority of the activities are centered around music, as Lescalleet is also the center’s music therapist. The songs allow the children and seniors to participate through a range of motions including shaking hands and dancing. The children will sometimes interact with their “gram-friends” by tying their shoe laces, straightening their collar or trying on their hat.
Adult Care Center certified nurse assistant, Louise Robinson, said the clients seem to perk up when the children come to visit.
“It’s good for them,” she said.
Through the interaction, the children have a chance to develop respect for the older generation.
“We don’t realize the impact it has on the kids and the seniors,” she said.
Executive Director Jane Bauknecht sees joy in the clients when the children visit.
“It’s a mood elevator and helps them stay alert,” she said.
The visits also create a sense of family among the clients and nursery students.
The center has participated in intergenerational activities since it began. While housed at Braddock Street United Methodist Church for 18 years, children at the church’s daycare interacted often with the clients. When the center moved to 411 N. Cameron St. in March 2012, it partnered with the non-profit Fremont Street Nursery.
Bauknecht is excited to continue the program with the nursery and create a relationship with the non-profit agency.“It emphasizes the quality of our day-to-day at the center,” she said.
Victoria Kidd, co-owner of the Hideaway Cafe in Winchester, was happy to partner with the center Friday to bring the Grinch and a storyteller to entertain the children and clients. Robin Blowers, a Handley High School senior, played the Grinch, while Andrew Giotta, a student at Shenandoah University, read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to the group.
Hideaway owners plan to use the costume multiple times in the cafe and the community.
“[The Grinch] is anywhere someone needs holiday cheer,” Kidd said. “He is our official Hideaway holiday ambassador.”
SU student Stephen Dransfield also plays the Grinch for the café.
