Impact Stories: Adult Day Services

The Adult Day Center is now accepting new members.

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Meet Pastor James

James and his wife Bessie have been married for 54 years and have called southeastern Wisconsin home for over fifty years. The couple has dedicated much of their lives to serving people in their communities, sharing love and care with their neighbors.

During his 36-year career at A.O. Smith, James felt a calling to serve people in need. Bessie encouraged him to reach out to others in service and love. James soon became a pastor. He and Bessie became familiar faces to neighbors in need, and supportive friends to many in their community.

When he retired, Pastor James eagerly went back to school. After a two-year program in Human Services, he used his compassion and wisdom as a counselor to young men struggling with substance abuse. James impacted many lives through service, and many more with his loving presence.

In 2016, James was diagnosed with dementia. Before long, he needed more care than Bessie could provide at home. After one of our community partners referred James and Bessie to Catholic Charities Adult Day Center, he joined us in 2018.

James receives care from trained and experienced staff in a home away from home atmosphere that meets his health and socialization needs. Members of the Adult Day Center engage in daily exercise, activities, lunch and nutritious snacks, and personal care services, as well as crafts and games. Bessie enjoys much needed respite during the day and time to care for herself, while James has the confidence of returning home to his beloved Bessie each day.

Meet Lizzie

At 101, Lizzie is happy and enjoys spending time with others. Being involved in day programs is essential to her well-being. Born with physical limitations, she has lived in group settings her entire adult life.

When the program she was attending could no longer maintain the level of care she needed, she was referred to Catholic Charities. At our Adult Day Center (ADC), Lizzie receives the services she needs to stay safe and healthy. There, she feels at home with other members and a caring staff, socializing and playing games. Her beautiful smile and laughter brightens everyone’s day.

Having survived all of her family, Lizzie’s friends and caregivers at the ADC hold a special place in her heart. Annette, Director of Adult Day Services shares, "We are all her family. Just because you don't have any relatives doesn't mean you don't have a family."

Meet John

John, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, and member of our Adult Day Center. In his retirement, John loved to attend veteran’s events. The connection he found among friends and neighbors gave him a community he could depend on. But, as John reached his late seventies, health problems began to make a big impact on his safety and independence. He began to need a walker, and his dementia meant that he relied more on his wife, Carol, to complete tasks that at one time came easily to him. Carol and their son, Michael, do their best to care for John and to honor John’s wish to continue living at home.

To assist the family, the V.A. referred John to Catholic Charities’ Adult Day Center where he could enjoy time away from home each week in a safe and social environment, and his family would have a respite and relief knowing that John is well cared for. The friendly and welcoming staff encouraged John to attend the ADC two days a week. He enjoys his time playing games with the other members and staying engaged. He still loves attending veteran’s events when he can and sharing stories with his new friends at the ADC.

Meet Mary

Mary, a former WWII RN, has been attending the Adult Day Center since early 2017. She is a naturally caring person and is often seen as being in "nurse mode" with the other members. Her primary caregiver, her daughter, began bringing Mary to Catholic Charities because her full-time job did not allow her the time to provide the daily care Mary needed to stay at home. At Catholic Charities, Mary is able to receive bathing services and daily medication administration.

Mary loves interacting and engaging with staff and the other members. Our staff feels truly privileged to have Mary share her wisdom and spend her days with us at the Adult Day Center. "We are grateful for the care my mother recieves at the center," shares her daughter.

Meet Carol Jean

Carol Jean has been a member at our Adult Day Center (ADC) for seven years. During that time, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her brother and other hardships, but she knew she could turn to her family at the ADC for support. Carol Jean shares of her experience with the ADC, "I like it here, I like the poeple, the food, the games. I like coming here. I have a lot of friends and family; every day here is the best day." Just as the ADC cares for Carol Jean, she cares for other members and the staff like her own family.

"She loves being busy, and she always goes the extra mile to make sure everyone will be okay." Annette, director of the Adult Day Center, shares. The ADC provides its members with a safe place to stay that meets their complex needs, but the members make it a second home and remind all of us of the powerful impact of family.

Meet Peter

When Peter came to Catholic Charities’ Adult Day Center, four years ago, he was struggling with severe anxiety and depression. Although Peter’s attendance was sporadic, the staff built a strong relationship with him. The center’s director, Annette, recognized his talent as a handwriting expert. She created opportunities for Peter to share his talent with other members, staff, and volunteers, who love his remarkable insight, and she inspired him to author a book on handwriting.

Today, Peter attends the center regularly and is able to manage his depression to live a healthy and happy life. “I’m glad to be doing something that I love,” Peter said, “I’m so grateful to all the people at Catholic Charities for helping me enjoy life again!”