Some of the most haunting images of the early pandemic were of seniors pressing their hands against windows as they attempted to connect with loved ones who were not allowed inside care homes.
As we approach the second anniversary of the world’s battle with COVID-19, there are definite signs of improvement. I went to Riverwalk Adult Day Services in Naperville to see how they’re faring, and I’m pleased to report the fun, albeit masked, is back.
The nonprofit, which operates in the Rubin Community Center, provides day care activities for low-income adults. Although many of their participants are seniors (currently the eldest is 97), the minimum age is 18. All clients are navigating some type of cognitive issue, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome.
On the day I visited, a Valentine’s-themed art class was in full swing under the tutelage of Colleen Koziara. As the CEO of Beyond Bingo Inc., she visits twice a month to present perhaps the only art class in which participants are also encouraged to dance.
“It’s a mix of occupational and physical therapy,” Koziara said. “I couldn’t think of a better job.”
Through the pandemic, she held online programs for about 50 communities throughout the Chicago area via Zoom, but nothing compares to meeting in person again, she said.
“I like helping them bring out their artistic side,” Koziara said. “I’ve always had a heart for adult care giving. I like helping them while their family members are working. It’s an opportunity to keep them busy. It helps them focus their artistic side instead of just sitting at home.”
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Because all clients live with their families, attending day care means family members can work and/or get some respite from the challenges of being a full-time care giver.
Although they were unable to meet in person earlier in the pandemic, Executive Director Jennifer Brasfield says she had never been busier. During that time, she helped Riverwalk become approved as a veterans program provider so they can welcome vets to their programs. They were also approved as an official State of Illinois Community Cares provider, she said.
“We’re the lowest private pay facility in Naperville,” Brasfield said. “We charge $80 a day, or $60 for half a day with no minimum time.”
Brasfield also worked with the Naperville Senior Task Force in its efforts to have the city designated as dementia friendly.
“I am a dementia friendly trainer,” she said. “Training helps people in business recognize what dementia looks like and gives them the tools they need to work with somebody who has it.”
Brasfield’s other community outreach includes offering advice for families of newly diagnosed patients.
Marian Stricker, president of Riverwalk’s Board of Directors, said there are a lot of resources available, but sometimes people don’t know where to start. Although there are numerous memory care facilities in town, day care for adults is less well known, she said.
“What we do know is that aging at home is the best thing for those with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” she said. “People are in their most familiar place for most of the day. They live significantly longer and most want to live at home.”
Seniors have been among the hardest hit in the community because of COVID.
“The pandemic has been very, very hard on them,” Stricker said. “We had some who had been coming her for 15 years who couldn’t come back because they were so scared.”
Riverwalk Adult Day Services operates with 10 part-time staff members, including three nurses and an assistant director. Two years ago Naperville Park District allowed them to use the Community Center rent free.
Now that they are reopening, they’re hoping to be able to expand their services because the closest adult day care facilities are in Joliet and Aurora. But as a nonprofit, help is always needed, Stricker said.
“We are a working board,” she said, “so we’re currently looking for board members with financial and marketing experience. We’re also seeking volunteers to help with classes. We teach activities like chair aerobics and music, as well as art and we’d love to broaden our programming. When it comes to hours, we can be very flexible.”
Riverwalk was founded in 1983 as Ecumenical Adult Day Services of Naperville. It was established by 15 local churches that recognized the need for a senior service organization. They changed their name in 2018. Since inception, they’ve performed 770,000 hours of service to participants and their caregivers.
Although not all clients have dementia, many do, and the need is growing. The rate is expected to continue to increase annually and it is estimated by 2050 there will be 14 million people living with dementia at an annual care cost of around $1.1 trillion.
Last year, Illinois reported to the Alzheimer’s Association that 230,000 people over 65 are suffering from the disease here and 9.6% of people 45 and older have some form of cognitive decline. Access to affordable, physical, social and emotional stimulation is preventing adults from receiving the care they need and giving respite to caregivers.
On March 10, Riverwalk will be holding its third annual Virtual Trivia Night Fundraiser, which is open to the public. You can either form your own team or be added to one by the organizers. The entry fee is $20 per device, with the chance to win a $250 first prize.
For more information, go to www.RiverwalkAdultDayServices.com
Hilary Decent is a freelance journalist who moved from England to Naperville in 2007.
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