Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Cooper.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Naperville Senior Center Adult Day Services provides daytime care from experienced therapists in a safe environment for seniors, including those with cognitive or physical challenges. Owners Pam and Mike Cooper, began NSC in March 2015, as a local resource to provide their Members a safe, affordable alternative to home health or institutional living and to promote and extend personal independence. They dreamed of starting this business since they met in college, where she was a physical therapy major and he was a marketing major. It is their dream come true, “Some people who are discharged from hospitals or nursing homes aren’t safe living alone if they can’t afford the 24-hour care they need,” said Pam. “Those people are who we designed NSC for, to assist with walking, balance, endurance and social interaction using purposeful activities such as making crafts, playing dice games or musical instruments and singing.”
Skilled Staff: The expert elder care practitioners are guided by Pam, a Physical Therapist. Theresa Capone, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is the center’s Director of Fun. Rounding out the skilled staff are three part-time Registered Nurses and a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Socialization: “There is no reason to stay home alone with a home health aide watching TV all day. Give the gift of Membership and eliminate your loved one’s loneliness,” said Theresa. She schedules plenty of time for social activities and everybody’s birthdays are celebrated! Fun activities include the Bean Bag Toss, Bingo, Bunco, Coloring, Bat the Balloon, Dominoes, Cardio Parachute, Mini Putt Putt Golf, Shuffleboard, Nerf Pistol Target Practice and wii Bowling.
Exercise: “We also have on location a one-of-a-kind indoor walking track and encourage our Members to make as many laps as possible every day,” said Pam. In addition to the track, the Center has a NuStep Recumbent bicycle and a hi-lo mat where Pam provides maintenance level therapy for Members. “We chart Members’ laps around the track as well as time and distance on the NuStep and have observed
improvements in many Members’ strength and endurance,” she stated.
Relay For Life: Members of Naperville Senior Center have participate in the American Cancer Fundraiser for the last three years during June. During their Mini Relay Events, Members walked, walker-ed and wheeled around the one-of-a-kind indoor track and raised over $12,000 in the fight against cancer. Their opportunity to give back to the community is something many of them have been unable to do for years.
Music: The Center’s ‘Performing Arts Center’ is equipped with bells, dozens of percussion instruments, a drum set, piano, trumpet and a karaoke machine. “Members love to sing and make music shaking and banging the percussion instruments,” said Mike. “Music seems to give Members a little more courage. It also helps lift our spirits and puts a smile on everyone’s face!”
Nutritious and Delicious Food: Naperville Senior Center Adult Day Services serves delicious meals table-side so Members can have as much or as little as they desire. The menu includes pot roast, baked cod, chicken Kiev, and lightly breaded tilapia with cheddar and chive, served with veggies, mashed or roasted potatoes, roll or biscuit and beverage.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Membership growth was slower than expected. Currently we are averaging 23 members a day and will start a waiting list when we get to 32 members.
Another challenge is staffing. We burned through five member service reps before we found a young lady who enjoys her job responsibilities as well as what we do. Also, finding and keeping Certified Nursing Assistants as most of them are taking college classes and their schedules change every semester.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Naperville Senior Center, Adult Day Services – what should we know?
Naperville Senior Center is dedicated to providing quality care and day service to seniors, including those with cognitive or physical challenges. We aspire to improve the functional skills of every Member to promote personal independence and overall well-being.
We specialize in providing daytime care from experienced therapists in a safe environment.
We provide caregivers time to take care of themselves, to do things they enjoy and to keep themselves refreshed.
What sets us apart:
Indoor walking track
Shower facility
Full service toileting assistance
Hair care station for cuts and shampoos
Maintenance therapy improving Members’ strength and endurance
Caring staff with specific expertise and a heart for seniors
Owners Pam and Mike whose passion is the safety and care of seniors on the most challenging part of their journey…
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our passion for this program is very obvious.
Our care for our Members is second to none; they are like family to us.
This place is indeed “Home Away From Home”
No other adult day service can duplicate what Pam and Mike have. Most are NFP run by social workers with no vested interest.
Pricing:
- Full day rate (open 730am to 6pm) is $125.
- Up to 5-hour rate is only $85.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1504 N Naper Blvd., Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563
- Website: http://www.napervilleseniorcenter.com/
- Phone: 630.857.3017
- Email: info@napervilleseniorcenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapervilleSeniorCenter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaperSrCenter
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/naperville-senior-center-naperville-2
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