Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Neustrom.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 1984, a group of women from local churches discussed the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. The problem identified was the lack of support and limited options for care. While families and friends offered their assistance, the caregiver, usually a spouse or child, was solely responsible for providing care both day and night. Other than nursing homes placement or having prescribed in-home nursing care, other alternate care was not available in the community. In most cases, the caregiver had to leave the workplace to care for their loved one. With this in mind, the women, who were all caregivers, sought the help of an executive director of an adult day care in Elmhurst that was operating for one year, to learn more about opening an adult day care in the community.
For two years, the women knocked on church doors, schools, and organizations in the community seeking space to start an adult day care. They met with rejection again and again. Their luck changed in 1986 when they were offered space at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove. Starting with only $100 in the bank and 25 people on a waiting list to join, Community Adult Day Care opened for business in October, 1986 incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) staffed with an executive director, program manager, a few aides, a nurse who worked eight hours a week, and many volunteers. Thirty years later, the center is still thriving and serving adults with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke survivors, and adults who cannot or do not want to be alone.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not always been smooth, nor is it smooth today. One of the struggles along the way was providing quality care and service at a reasonable price for seniors on fixed income and for their families. While many seniors could benefit from daily interaction and socialization, their ability to support the center is not always possible. Another struggle in the early days of operation was trying to open a second center to serve more people. Because the need in the community was so great, opening another center appeared to be a wise decision. However, with limited staff and resources, the new site was closed a few years after opening. The most difficult challenge in the past, as well as today, is influencing families who are caring for a loved one with early onset dementia to consider Community Adult Day Center early in the aging journey to benefit from evidence-based programs rather than later as the disease progresses.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Community Adult Day Center helps older adults have a great day, every day by offering an opportunity to socialize, build friendships, exercise body and mind, share stories, and enjoy music, art, and drama. Without the center, some older adults may not leave their home or connect with other people socially. We also care for the caregiver with a monthly support group, a library of books, resources, and educational workshops. Most important, we specialize in serving people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other cognitive challenges and have an Alzheimer certified nurse on staff. Community Adult Day Center is known for serving the community, families, and older adults for thirty years. In fact, one of our volunteers who is a junior in college shared that her grandmother attended Community Adult Day Center when the center just opened. As an organization, we are most proud of playing a role in keeping older adults in their homes, families together, and lessening nursing home placement. What sets us apart from others is our homelike atmosphere, smiling, happy staff, and variety of activities. By the way we offer essential oil hand massages too.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Chicago area and far west suburbs is an excellent place to open an adult day center because of the diversity of people, the aging baby boomers, and the opportunity to provide a niche service. As in most fields, adult day care serves a variety of ethnicity and cultures. However to thrive and provide the best service to older adults with dementia, specializing in serving a niche population is always a plus and helps families who may never consider sharing the work of a caregiver. In particular, locating in an area with easy access to expressways and public transportation is helpful for the caregiver who is still in the workforce.
Pricing:
- Half day (up to 4 hours) = $50 a day includes hot lunch, snacks, and activities.
- Full day (over 4 hours) = $65 a day includes hot lunch, snack, and activities.
- Free Community Bingo and Ice Cream Social every third Tuesday of the month from 2:30pm-4pm.
- Free Caregivers Support group every third Wednesday of the month from 3pm-4pm.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4501 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Website: www.communityadultdaycenter.org
- Phone: 630-968-1060
- Email: info@communityadultdaycenter.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communityadultdaycenter.org/
Image Credit:
Personal photo of team-L to R Back, Liz Secor, Deb Zielke, Barb Manner, Ed Llewellyn (Program Activity Assistants)
L to R Front-Linsdey Gloeckle, (Program Activity Assistant), Susan Neustrom, (Executive Director) and Beth Spilky (Registered Nurse).
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