Pennyrile Allied Community Services’ Adult Day Care program is designed to provide area seniors that activity. The Trigg County chapter, which is housed in the Senior Citizens Center, currently has a handful of openings.
“A lot of people don’t know we’re here,” said Chasity Morse, supervisor of the program for Trigg and Caldwell Counties.
It is unfortunate, because the program provides — at no to minimal-cost, depending on income — a beneficial environment for seniors, many of whom would otherwise sit alone at home.
“It keeps them active,” Morse said, “it keeps them more mobile.”
“A lot of people at home [alone] get depressed and give up.”
Participants in the program participate in low-impact exercises every-other day, make crafts, host guest speakers and play a variety of games — with serious competition — including bingo.
“It almost gives me a heart attack playing bingo,” Morse said of the game’s competitiveness.
More important than the games that are played or the crafts that are made, however, is the interaction.
Hazel Burke has been participating in the program for about seven years.
“[It’s] a wonderful place for us to have,” said Burke. “They take care of us real well.”
Burke, who calls herself “a live wire,” said she enjoys coming to the center to talk up her friends, trying to make them happy.
With a sly smile, she denied accusations that she was “talkative.”
Burke said she enjoyed not just the company, but also the exercise.
“I’m trying to repair my body,” she said. Though she turns 89 in February, Burke said she’s “working on making 100.”
Speaking with Burke, it’s easy to see why the program’s four full-time staff members so enjoy their work.
“They love to talk with you,” said Annetta Boyd. “Everybody talks to everybody.”
“I don’t mind getting up and coming to work,” she said.
Morse quickly agreed.
“This is the first job I’ve ever had that I actually like,” she said.
Burke said she has recommended the program — which provides transportation to and from the center — to several of her friends.
Morse said getting someone down for their first visit is the hard part.
“Once you get them coming here, they love it,” she said.
Morse said the program is ideal, not just for seniors who live alone, but also for family caretakers who might need the time to run errands or to just relax a little bit.
If you or a loved one is interested in enrolling in the program — which lasts from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday — call Morse at 270-365-0015.
