Cos Cob, August 3, 2018 – River House Adult Day Center is being recognized by the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) as an Adult Day Services Center of Distinction for its outstanding service and unique activities for its clients.
River House clients, along with caregivers and family members, participate in “Care Plan” meetings that closely evaluate an individual’s progress, seek methods to manage any identified challenges and establish goals and strategies for caregivers to improve quality of life. Additionally, the care plan includes a major health care component approved by each client’s doctor and family members.
“What makes our person-centered programs unique is that our clients have a voice in choosing what is included in their customized program,” said Donna Spellman, River House Executive Director. “Each client, along with their caregivers, is involved in the customization of their person-centered programs during their time with us.”
There are a wide array of entertaining and stimulating activities that are both person-centered and inclusive that allow clients to participate at their own pace and level. The Baseball Reminiscence Program is aimed at helping adults with dementia better connect with their friends and loved ones by talking about baseball. Launched by University of Connecticut professor and researcher, Dr. Michael Ego, baseball is a topic that delves into deeper, more firmly-rooted long-term memories and areas of knowledge. It’s one of many reminiscence therapies aimed at getting clients to talk about familiar subjects as a means of stimulating them and helping them to strengthen brain connections.
These programs fall under River House’s Therapeutic Recreation department, which provides individualized and group-based activities such as balloon volleyball, art therapy, and MasterMind, a program created at River House that enhances memory, verbal fluency, flexible thinking, attention and communication.
“Loneliness and social isolation have harmful effects on health and longevity, especially among older adults,” Spellman explained. “At River House, we provide a compassionate solution for them and their caregivers, who are comforted knowing their loved ones are in caring and skilled hands.”
Over the last two years, River House developed a partnership with Norwalk Community College and has welcomed more than 50 Home Health Aide students and Nursing (RN) students, who were given the opportunity to experience the care and support provided at a medical model adult daycare center – the only one of its kind in Greenwich, Connecticut.