“Good morning, Geneva! How are you today?”
A mother, grandmother, and Circle Center Adult Day Services participant, Geneva is greeted warmly as she makes her way into the Richmond facility. Dropped off by her daughter, who has her own busy day ahead, Geneva begins her day at eight-thirty with a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by the kitchen crew. A few of Geneva’s activity choices for the day include the Boost Your Bones program to improve balance and gross motor skills, a fitness program where participants walk a route through the Circle Center building and track their steps, a gardening group, a seated group-exercise session, word games, a Wii Sports bowling club, a coloring group, or a sing-along with the music therapist. Geneva will also enjoy lunch and two snacks as her day at Circle Center unfolds. When her busy and fulfilled day wraps up at five-thirty, Geneva is ready for some relaxation at home with her family.
Circle Center Adult Day Services was founded in 1976 by five churches based in the Richmond Fan District. The program provided care during the day for adults who were unable to safely stay at home alone while their caregivers worked or enjoyed needed respite. The program was founded as an economic alternative to long-term care (think nursing home or assisted living) or full-time in-home care, and it continues to meet that need today.
With fewer than ten seniors a day participating forty years ago, Circle Center has expanded to serve nearly one hundred participants daily in a 20,000-plus square foot building, conveniently located near Willow Lawn. Circle Center offers community-based elder care with programs Monday through Saturday for those facing the challenges of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and the effects of stroke. Circle Center accepts Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and private pay. Scholarship funding is also available for families in need.
According to CEO Amy C. Bodman, while Circle Center’s location may have changed a few times over the years, the mission and vision remain the same. “We provide comprehensive and individualized quality care for older adults during the day, while enabling them to live at home, providing assurance and respite for family caregivers,” says Bodman.
The trained and professional staff includes a program director, an occupational therapist/care coordinator, a music therapist, recreational therapists, social workers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and thirteen full-time certified nursing assistants.
The Circle Center also provides several support groups for participants and their family members with a focus on Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and caregiver challenges. “Our groups help educate and provide support for people facing the challenges of aging and for their caregivers,” says Bodman.
Bodman says providing services for seniors and their families is an important mission for Richmond and beyond. “We envision a community where all older adults and their families have the support and resources to live together with purpose and dignity. We meet this mission and vision every day with genuine care and concern for the participants and their families.”
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Volunteers Needed!
Circle Center Adult Day Services
4900 West Marshall Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Circle Center depends on many volunteers who work with staff to ensure the participants are engaged throughout the day and treated with love and respect. Volunteers help with snacks, lunch, arts, crafts, bingo, group games, and gardening and can volunteer anytime Monday through Saturday.
Books Wanted!
Circle Center is in need of new or gently used coffee table books for participants. Books about history, flowers, gardening, cooking, and fashion would be a welcome addition.
Drop off coffee table books at Circle Center during business hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To learn more about Circle Center Adult Day Services, visit circlecenterads.org.
