 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Adult Day Program in Peterborough, Ontario
Program Description
The Stewart Homes Else day program was established in 1989 to provide opportunities for individuals in care to experience social interaction and recreational activities in a safe, supportive setting while also improving their independent functioning in daily living and communication skills. Each client has a daily schedule tailored to his or her personal needs and preferences. Daily activities are planned to improve each individual’s vocational, gross and fine motor and community living skills. Some clients receive daily, prescribed physiotherapy to maintain or improve their range of motion. Picture symbols, sign and verbal language are used as appropriate. The staff client ratio is one to three, higher on outings and in teaching sessions.
Fine motor skill activities include wood and foam puzzles, colouring, sorting, pincher grasp and transferring activities. Academics are integrated into daily schedules and include, colour and number recognition, matching and identifying objects and sounds. Large motor skill activities include walking, running, skipping, physiotherapy, gym program, stair climbing, bowling and swimming.
Behaviour modification to reinforce positive behaviour is an important part of our program. We encourage independence in daily living skills by providing instruction and opportunity and then praising and rewarding accomplishment. Toilet skills of our clients vary from partial independence to total dependence. Structure and consistency within a flexible environment with friendly, caring staff makes it easier for clients to develop individual routines that suit their needs.
Community work placements are available for any clients who can benefit from them. These placements include grocery shopping for our Friday hot lunch program, folding and assembling bulletins at Trinity and Knox Churches, delivering donations to Kawartha Food Share, Ecology Garden detail (duties include spreading mulch, planting bedding plants, shoveling, weeding and plant nurturing through the growing season), and dusting chores at Knox Church.
Daily work tasks within the Else Program include laundry, recycling, taking garbage to the curb, table cleanup, unloading the dish washer, making and pouring juice, assistance with lunch preparation, baking cookies, muffins and other desserts, washing afternoon tea dishes, sweeping, vacuuming and observing friends at work.
Recreational activities feature highly at the Else Program. Regularly these include bowling with other community groups, swimming in the community pool during public swimming (interaction with the general public), fishing with volunteers from the community, community walks, physical activities at Champions Gymnasium, community outings focused on safety, visits to the library for computer games and story hour, parks, movies, tobogganing, visits to the Peterborough Zoo, hairdresser trips, picnics, walks, parades, circuses, theatre and other appropriate community activities. Clients have regular opportunities to express themselves through arts and crafts.
We have a room for sensory stimulation through play with water, sand, piles-a-pasta, scented and tactile items, exposure to stimulating, relaxing, familiar, scary, unusual and totally cool sensations.
Our day program now operates in an owned facility that we have purchased and totally renovated for our kids. We are now able to offer programs specifically tailored to our participants with medical and mobility needs. Within this new facility is a room equipped with sensory stimulation equipment, a physio room with a water bed exercise area and a quiet activities room. We also have a large kitchen, three new bathrooms (including one with a roll-in shower), laundry facilities and a lunch room.
Outside, the program offers a large, secure exercise and recreation area with playground equipment that backs onto a green space.
Staff knowledgeable about our clients and their particular medical and physical needs are on duty at all times. Wheelchair transportation to and from residential programs each day and for all other program activities is an included Else service.
Pegi Handley
Program Manager
Stewart Homes, Peterborough
May 2012