As our population lives longer, the need for quality care for the elderly is growing and family members are frantically searching for creative alternatives that allow their loved ones to be part of the family and community for as long as possible. Theyre also searching for options that help them feel good about their decision and that minimize the inevitable feeling of guilt.

Bob Phillips, owner of S.A.R.A.H. Adult Day Services in Strongsville knows from personal experience that his facility provides such an alternative for many families facing these difficult choices.

My mother lived alone and was quite self-sufficient for 23 years. Then she broke her leg and everything changed, explains Bob. It was obvious she needed care during the day that our family couldnt provide, but we werent comfortable with our options. We knew Mom didnt need to be in a nursing home and home health care didnt provide her social interaction with anyone but the home care aide.

Shortly afterwards, Bob sought the advice of Dr. Merle Griff, an experienced Gerontologist in the Canton area. In 1985, Dr. Griff founded S.A.R.A.H. Adult Day Services in Canton. The more Bob spoke to her, the more interested he became in adult day care, not only as a customer but as a provider.

In October of 2001, after considerable research and planning, Bob and his wife, Rita, opened the Strongsville S.A.R.A.H. Center. See SARAH Adult Day for more information.

Rita Phillips designed the centers interior to be reminiscent of Grandmas House. Victorian style furniture complete with lace doilies fills the living room, dining room and parlor. Memories are important to the elderly. We want our clients to feel at home when theyre here, says Rita.

More important to the centers homey atmosphere is the staff. S.A.R.A.H. employs six full time staffers, including an R.N., each of whom has a home health care background and experience working with seniors. No one wants to think about leaving their loved one with strangers all day, but once our families meet our staff, they no longer seem like strangers, offers Bob.

Seniors that attend the center enjoy the company of other seniors. Nutritious meals, snacks and the scheduled activities further promote good physical, mental and emotional health. Clients, both men and women, take part in crafts, music, exercise and socializing time. Ritas father, the accordion-playing Steve Saporita, is a favorite, We enable our clients to do things that they just wouldnt do in home care, Bob boasts. Its important to everyones emotional and mental health to experience these types of interactions, especially seniors. They really enjoy it.

In terms of costs, one day of care at the center typically costs less than three hours of home care. Clients also receive medical and nutritional care throughout the day. Healthy meals are provided and clients are encouraged to eat properly. Medicines are given at the right time and in the proper dosage. Personal hygiene is also important. Our staff showers clients if necessary, takes them to the rest room and handle any incontinence problems that may occur. We have a 1-to-4 staff-to-client ratio, so services are provided in a timely and caring fashion, Bob states.

The Strongsville S.A.R.A.H. Center has recently received Certification as a Senior Approved Service. For a free Quality of Service Report see Certified Senior Approved I was overwhelmed by the response this survey revealed of our clients perspective of how we provide services, says Bob. It made us both proud and humble. Now we feel our job is to educate more and more people of the sandwich generation who embrace day care centers as valuable resources for their children, but might not be aware that the same principles hold true at adult centers for their parents.

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