Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A local who has been offering in-home support service will now be operating an adult day program for seniors starting July 27.
Megan Verhey explained that the goal of the new program is to catch the attention of seniors who are reluctant to engage in one-on-one activities.
“It was kind of a way for me to work around and try to access the clients or the seniors in the community that aren’t willing to work with me, because they are afraid of losing that independence, and that was the main obstacle I found in accessing clients,” Verhey said.
“So, I thought if they had a place where they felt like they could just go and look at it as a socialization with their friends and there’s other people doing it and it’s not just them feeling like they’re getting old and they just need the help . . . I thought that would be really great.”
Through her in-person services called Verhey Friendly Visits, she offers recreational activities and leisure games to promote wellness and connect with seniors.
Over the past few months, Verhey has been looking for a way to offer these services in a group setting.
She previously volunteered for an adult day program in Ontario attended by her grandmother and has worked as a recreational therapist.
The main obstacle was finding a location, but Verhey was able to set up shop at the Seniors’ Lounge in the Activity Centre for three-hour sessions on three separate days each week.
“It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do in town for a long time, and I’ve kind of put out feelers here and there to people and didn’t have any successful leads,” she said.
“But the Jasper Seniors Society had a meeting and [it] came up and everybody seemed on board, so that was really fabulous news.”
Each month, the program will have a calendar indicating what is happening on each day.
This will allow participants to pick and choose when to come based on what activities appeal to them, with Verhey saying she will be providing a wide range of offerings.
“I want to have something that could appeal to all types of interests, so each program is going to be designed to stimulate our participants, socially, cognitively, physically and emotionally,” she said.
As an example of what these three-hour sessions would look like, seniors will first be provided with refreshments and be able to casually socialize.
Then the group will get into some brain teasers and read local news and uplifting stories, which Verhey says can help trigger memory retention
After that will be a more physical game or activity, such as mini-putt and jumbo games, followed by a regimented exercise time slot for about 40 minutes.
Each program will wind down with some sensory stimulation.
Verhey noted how the program will provide respite and education to caregivers that are taking care of seniors full time.
“My clients and the family members are really excited to hear about it,” she said.
“I just keep hearing that it’s a much-needed service and it’s been a long time coming.”
Verhey will continue to offer in-home support services, whereas the adult day program will function as a cheaper and more sociable alternative.
The adult day program is for adults 55 and older and runs at the Seniors’ Lounge in the Activity Centre, and a cost is associated.
Times are still being finalized, but Verhey anticipates the program will run on Tuesday mornings as well as Sundays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Those who are interested can call Megan Verhey at 780-883-0442.
