Page 16 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine 2020 Spring - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

HAPPY DAYS

ARE Here!

by Brigan Ford

hen I began my career at Jan You may have seen many of our 23
Werner Adult Day Care, I buses, traveling throughout the city
Wsaw a smiley face sticker with transporting participants to and from
a slogan that read: “Happy Days Are the facility. Safety is a top priority at
Here”. I thought to myself, “Now, that Jan Werner. That’s why all of the buses
is a positive way to start each day”. I are equipped with lifts for wheelchair
grabbed a sticker and started my journey use, as we pride ourselves on our door-
down this new path. Every day I am through-door service.
in awe of all of the things that I learn,
and every day I realize exactly what Once our participants arrive at daycare,
that slogan represents. Some days it is a light breakfast snack is served. Our
watching the smiling faces between two chef and his staff serve a diet-specific
friends, others it is witnessing a new goal lunch meal and an afternoon snack Alzheimer’s and for those who require
being accomplished by the participant, every day. We also have mealtime one-on-one care. The activities and
and some days it is a simple win of a assistance available. exercises are designed specifically for this
bingo game. However, the excitement Every participant is unique and has unit and its participants' needs. Our staff
of each day is equally rewarding and different needs, so attendance can be strives to meet every care need for this
concludes with a happy ending.
scheduled as desired at Jan Werner. Some special group.
As the Intake Coordinator for Jan Werner, participants choose to attend one day a An organization is only as great as the
I have been provided the opportunity week and others enjoy attending Monday staff who stand behind it, who support
to witness the before and after of each through Friday. and love what they do. Many great
participant who walks through the doors Recreational activities, which vary things can be said about the staff at Jan
of Jan Werner Adult Day Care. The from day to day, are essential to our Werner Adult Day Care. With decades
physical, mental and emotional condition clients’ growth. Many light physical upon decades of experience among
that these elderly citizens were in, prior to activities such as Tai Chi, leg exercises, a staff of 65 including: CNAs, LVNs,
attending this social environment, versus Wii Bowling and Corn Hole are offered. RNs, Administrators, Transportation
the person they become once they have Participants can sign up for the activity Staff, Social Workers, Therapists, and
been with Jan Werner, is the difference of their choice and actively engage with Dietary Staff, Jan Werner consists of a
between day and night. They blossom their peers and recreational therapists. team of well-equipped professionals.
and learn to interact with others again. Beach Ball Drumming Therapy is a Our Interdisciplinary Teamwork is
Many of our elderly become immobile popular activity at Jan Werner; one that vital to each participant’s development.
and, unfortunately, stop socializing with you must witness firsthand. This activity Gentleness, patience and, especially,
others. They do not leave home except to originally started with a group of 10 understanding, are very important keys
attend doctor appointments. Therefore, people and has now become a Friday in working with the elderly. On any
attending daycare is recommended favorite, with 25 participants. We also given day, you can visit Jan Werner Adult
by many physicians and is extremely have activities taking place in our large Day Care and feel the positive vibes
beneficial to the elderly. The small dayroom such as Bingo, canvassing, trivia that our staff brings to this environment
improvements you see in their everyday and socializing at its finest. These are the to ensure that each of our participants
lives turn into huge changes. Jan Werner moments when friends are made, stories continues to feel loved and motivated
Adult Day Care has been serving the are told and most importantly, memories and experiences “happy days” at Jan
Amarillo and Canyon area for more than are made. Werner.
40 years. During that time, Jan Werner
Adult Day Care has provided some Jan Werner offers a secure memory
amazing services to the elderly of the care unit for our loved ones with
community.

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Amarillo Senior Link