Those of you who know me know I am very outgoing. If ever I forget to take my large TAMMY nametag off and end up running errands after work I am routinely asked “Where is Aspen and what do you do?” I smile and reply “SO glad you asked!”
Background: On January 4, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law Title XX of the Social Security Services Amendment of 1974. Its purpose was to provide states with a flexible funding source, known as Block Grants, for social services. States were encouraged to develop, plan, implement, and fund social services to individuals and families following 5 goals:
- Achieve or maintain client economic self-support and independency
- Achieve or maintain client self-sufficiency
- Prevent or repair abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests, and preserve/rehabilitate families
- Reduce or eliminate inappropriate institutional care by making available home- and community-based care and other types of less intensive care (for example, ADULT DAY CARE)
- Acquire appropriate institutional care when other options are not appropriate and provide services to individuals in institutions
Mountainland Association of Governments (located in Orem) serves families in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties by providing funds to support family clinics, mental health treatment, the Center of Women and Children in Crisis, the Alcoholism Foundation of Utah House of Hope, Foster Grandparents and Senior Volunteer programs, United Way community services, Meals-on-Wheels, Ombudsman, In-Home services, adult day care, and administrative costs. In fact, 70% of annual funds are allocated for senior services and 30% for all other community services due to the growing number of older adults requiring supportive programs.
When to consider ADCS: When a loved one can no longer structure his/her own daily activities, is isolated and desires companionship, cannot be safely left alone at home, and/or lives with someone who works outside the home or who needs to be away from home for other reasons it may be time to consider adult day care services.
Services: The goal of a well-run center is to enrich the lives of clients by providing a safe and secure environment; experienced, trained, and caring staff; music and art therapy; physical activity (sit and dance, golf, pool, ring and ball toss), mental stimulation (word games, puzzles, reminiscing), nutritious snacks and meal, socialization, transportation, referrals, and monthly support group.
We at Aspen are dedicated to our clients and their families. We understand the challenges of dementia care and are here to help in any way we can.
~Tamara Nixon, BS, CHES