Abstract:

The Levindale Day Care Program is a 5-day-a-week program for those elderly people who need services ranging from emotional support to a complete custodial facility (though not bed-bound), but wish to remain in the community. Besides support of individuals, the goals are relief for families, prevention or postponement of institutionalization, & provision of a program to maximize physical & emotional functioning. The program has a maximum of 35 participants. Staff consists of a registered nurse, a M & a F aide, & a half-time social worker. Casework services are offered to enhance the individual's social functioning. In the process of aging, the important changes are those in attitudes, values, & personality changes as expressed in interaction with others. The disengagement theory describes a mutual withdrawal & decreased interaction between the aging person & others in his social system. The elderly in the day care program have the advantage of sharing recreation & workshop facilities. Formal group meetings once a week produce an identification of the individual with the group & create an environment of peer support. Once a month, families of participants are included in the meetings to assure the family's involvement & to receive their suggestions. General problems of aging & illness & specific problems encountered are discussed.