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Adult Day program honors vets

May 25, 2006|Lisa King

Several local residents were among the guests of honor at a luncheon at the Jessamine County Adult Day Center.

Korean War veterans Melvin Galloway and Earl Mooney played bingo, and enjoyed refreshments on Monday at the center's Adult Day Program. Paul Evely, a World War II veteran from Wilmore, also visited with other vets at the party.

The event was in recognition of upcoming Memorial Day.

Other veterans also attended the luncheon, and the atmosphere was festive, as well as patriotic.

As they posed for a photo in front of a table laden with food and decorated with red, white and blue balloons, streamers and flags, the two veterans, though aged physically and mentally, stood tall, with an unmistakable gleam of pride in their eyes.

Melvin Galloway, who can no longer speak, raised a salute.

He has lived with caregiver Dean Brandenburg of Nicholasville for the past 14 years.

Mooney also lives with a caregiver.

Anne Flynne, specializing in senior care, said more and more veterans are being in enrolled in adult day care programs like the one here in Jessamine County.

"They are people who can't be left alone, and their caregivers have to work during the day, so they bring them here for us to care for during the day," she said.

The clients don't sit idle.

They play games and enjoy snacks and other activities, all under the watchful eye of the staff.

The program is targeted toward those with Alzheimer's, Demential, forgetfulness, Parkinson's, unsteady balance, and mental retardation.

Adults age 21 and over with any of the above or related conditions are eligible for the program.

"Our program doesn't replace the love and care you give," said Kelly Douglas, director of the program.

"It only supports you as the caregiver."

For more information, call Douglas at 887-2208, or visit the Jessamine Adult Day Program at 111 Hoover Drive in Nicholasville.

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