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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shirley Freyer
Concordia Lutheran Ministries
Tel: 1-724-352-1571 x8266
sfreyer@concordialm.org

Concordia Adult Day Services Expands Programming Area

Cabot, PA – After just eight years of existence, Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ Adult Day Services (ADS) program experienced a growth spurt recently – but this wasn’t the six inches you or I grew between seventh and eighth grade.

This growth spurt was to the tune of 578 square feet.

And while 578 square feet may be just a footprint in the growing expanse of Concordia, to the ADS program, that number represents an opportunity to reach even more individuals hoping to stay independent as long as possible.

The ADS area in the Lund Care Center began an expansion project in March of this year, after receiving a $5000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and a matching gift from an anonymous donor. The expansion allows ADS to increase its capacity from 14 to 21 participants daily.

ADS Director Paula Sypulski said she is thrilled to see this program thrive and grow.

“With the new space, we will not only be able to increase our capacity but we will be able to offer an increased variety of activities with the two separate program areas, as well as private counseling with clients and their families,” she said.

The expanded area includes a second bathroom, private office space, and a hallway between the existing ADS room and the new space. Additionally, ADS recently received another $5000 grant from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to purchase two large screen TVs, a home theatre system, a Wii gaming console, and a variety of new videos.

Sypulski said this expanded area provides more opportunities for the users to socialize, which is a vital aspect of the program.

“Socializing, having a purpose and goals, is what keeps most people enjoying their life,” Sypulski said. “Often as we age we become isolated, depressed and feel unwanted or unneeded. At our facility we try to help those individuals find joy in life, find a purpose, a place to spend time with friends and feel they are needed.”

Beyond caring for the individuals who take part in the program, ADS pays particular attention to the caregivers as well. Concordia's ADS program allows caregivers respite time to take care of themselves, which is an essential part of being a successful caregiver. Sypulski said caregivers who don't take care of themselves have added stress, which can cause increased health issues.

She added that the ADS mission statement sums up the need for the expansion: To provide a safe, secure, comfortable Christian environment for aging and disabled clients in a respectable, concerned and caring way that reinforces their self-esteem, dignity and value to the community; and in so doing, provide support to their caregivers.

“If each day we can give each person who comes here a moment of happiness – a sense of independence, self-worth and a laugh – then we have done our job,” Sypulski said.

The ADS department is planning an open house of the expanded facilities in September for National Adult Day Services week. Details will follow shortly. For more information on the Concordia Adult Day Services program, contact Sypulski at 724.352.1571, ext. 8271.