Rose Hess is one of the many participants of the Adult Day Center, which is a care program operated by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. Rose is 88 years old and has recently suffered several mini-strokes. Prior to these strokes, her daughter Sue says she was a fiercely independent person, living on her own. After the strokes, however, her doctors determined she could not live alone. While Rose had not suffered any lasting paralysis from the strokes, they did affect her physical and mental capabilities. Sue says Rose expressed feeling “old and useless,” and she became more and more withdrawn. Sue and her family decided to give the Adult Day Center a try, and here’s what she had to say –

“What a change we have seen in Mom since she’s been attending the Adult Day Center! She is much more alert, she’s getting physically and mentally stronger, and she is smiling again! She gets up each weekday morning looking forward to her day at the ADC. When she comes home, she tells about the things they did that day, and the people that she met.”

At the Adult Day Center, Rose is able to interact with other seniors. They do crafts together in groups, enjoy musical performances, and even help cook together. Sue says that Rose now feels she has a purpose in life, and they discuss how she is also helping other seniors who may be lonely and in need of her friendship. In speaking of the effect the Adult Day Center has had on her family, Sue says, “it has been such a great benefit for our family, giving us the ability to take care of errands, shopping, and other personal activities while Mom is at the center. The ADC is her new “home away from home” during the day, and we trust the great staff to care for our most precious possession – our mom.”

Now, Sue says the family is able to really enjoy time with Rose before and after her hours at the Adult Day Center, because she is more alert and engaged with family activities. “Thanks from the bottom of our hearts,” Sue says, “to United Way of Manatee County and all the people and organizations that have supported the Meals on Wheels PLUS Adult Day Center. It is truly a blessing to our family and to the whole community.”

To learn more about the Adult Day Center or other programs of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, visit our website at www.mealsonwheelsplus.org or call 941-747-4655.