Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2002)
TOPIC: Assisting Adults Through Life's Transitions
 
by kathy hayes

Walk into Elderhaus, and you’re likely to see older adults playing trivia, participating in a multicultural program, doing music therapy or exercising. Maybe they’ve collected wildflowers and are turning them into bookmarks. Perhaps they’re baking cookies that they’ll later give to a community sponsor as a way to say, “Thank you for supporting Elderhaus.”

“Our participants are still very much a part of the community,” says Executive Director Joanne Johnsen.

Elderhaus is an adult day-care program that provides a home away from home for the elderly and those with special needs. It also gives caregivers a break, and the peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is receiving high-quality, loving care.

Elderhaus’ 11 staff members serve more than 400 families a year. Most of those families are baby boomers trying to care for their parents while raising their own children, says Johnsen. Through Elderhaus, families can keep their loved ones in a home environment before assisted living or long-term care are needed.

Participation begins with a staff member meeting with the family in their home or at Elderhaus to assess the participant. With this information, the staff can better understand the participants’ needs and the choices they’ll be making while at Elderhaus.

Once the assessment is completed, participants are welcome to come to Elderhaus regularly or drop in  occasionally. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided daily, and staff are qualified to provide some medical assistance, including medication supervision, bathing and feeding.
about elderhaus

Elderhaus Adult Day Care Programs
605 S. Shields St.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
221-0406
www.fortnet.com/elderhaus

hours
Monday - Friday, 6 a.m.-6 pm.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

who is served
• Older adults who feel lonely or bored and need
assistance during the day.
• Families who wish to enhance the quality of life of
their loved one.
• Caregivers who are overwhelmed with the
responsibilities of providing care.

levels of care
Elderhaus provides three levels of care, with programs specifically created to meet the needs, and maintain the dignity, of the people within each group.

funding, resources
Elderhaus is a locally operated, nonprofit agency that receives financial support from grants, donations, the community, service fees and Medicaid. It also offers a sliding-scale scholarship program.

to help
Last year, 1,200 volunteers served more than 8,500 hours at Elderhaus. Call 221-0406 to inquire about
volunteer opportunities.

Elderhaus staff also offer mentoring and counseling for caregivers, and work closely with the local Alzheimer’s Association and a local psychotherapist to help people learn to cope with life transitions and better understand Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s OK to accept help,” Johnsen says. “Caregiving is such a hard job that goes for 24 hours a day. No one person can do that all the time.”