Valley Care Association Provides 'A Joyful Place'

From the moment I walked in, I could tell that the Ambridge-based Valley Care Association was going to be a special place. 

The building was bright and cheery.  The aroma of toast and fresh coffee filled the air.  Clients sat family-style at the table munching on breakfast or sipping coffee, while some read the daily newspaper. Staff sat right along with them and kept them engaged in conversation.

It may be one of the best kept secrets in our area.  I have lived in the Ambridge area for several years but never knew that right in my own backyard was such a wonderful facility. 

Valley Care Association was founded in 1978 with its first Adult Day Services located in  Township.  In the 1980s, the center relocated to the now-closed Divine Redeemer Elementary School in Ambridge. In 2001,  Valley Care moved to its current location at 345 Maplewood Ave.

Valley Care offers adult day services to local seniors in the area.  The center's main goal is to keep elderly loved ones home for as long as possible before there is a need to move them to a higher level of care. 

The center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Clients are either dropped off and picked up by family members; many use the DART Transit Authority bus.  The center has at least five full-time staff members present every day and a full-time registered nurse is always on duty to oversee medical conditions and administer medications.

I was given a tour recently by Kathi Finch, marketing and sales manager for Valley Care Association.  The staff and clients interacted like a family. Clients' artwork decorated the walls.  In the back was a fenced-in courtyard.  Flowers were blooming everywhere. Several umbrella tables were present,  along with a barbecue grill. It was the perfect setting for an outdoor picnic.

The majority of clients are 60 or older.  However, according to state regulations, the center can have up to three clients under 60 years old at any given time.  Most clients have some form of memory loss and the facility is locked for clients with dementia who may tend to wander. 

Some clients have physical needs, such as impaired mobility.  Others need closer monitoring of chronic health conditions.  Bathing and incontinence care is provided.  There also is a licensed beautician who comes monthly for the men and women.  Above all the needs clients may have, they all benefit from the socialization the center provides. 

There is a monthly newsletter and activities calendar. Every day is full of different and fun activities, such as daily exercises that keep the mind and body active.  Wednesdays are an all-time favorite at Valley Care, where the day is affectionately called "Freddy Day."  Freddy is a musician who sings and plays the guitar -- not slow, depressing music -- but upbeat rock and roll and polka. Freddy even takes requests.  Chairs and tables are moved out of the way and the common area becomes a dance floor.

Then there is an art therapist, Colleen Sherts, who comes weekly.  It's not only arts and crafts: Sherts offers  art lessons. Based on the lesson, clients will create art projects. 

Outside services also are offered on site. With a physician's prescription, clients can receive speech, physical or occupational therapies.  This also saves caregivers the worry of how to get a loved one to yet another appointment. 

Clients may attend Valley Care's adult day services on a regular or occasional basis.  Even half-days are available.  Options are also available to assist with the program cost.  Long-term care insurance and veteran's benefits are just a few of the options. 

To learn more or to schedule your own tour, call 724-266-9626. Speak with Wanda Carter, program director or Gail Raab, registered nurse.  You may also visit the website at www.ValleyCareAssociation.org or on Facebook.

As Kathi Finch sums it up, "It's a joyful place."

I wholeheartedly agree.