Staying Connected and Providing Hope for Older Adults

A burning pot of soup on the stove was the first sign that something was happening to Barbara, a participant in Adult Day Services at The Salvation Army Winterberry Heights Church.

Her daughter, Kristina Boch, came home from work, noticed the gas stove was still on, and asked her mother when she had made the soup.

“She said, ‘around noon when Wheel of Fortune is on,’” Kristina recalls. “That’s when I knew—we needed help and we had to figure things out.”

The Salvation Army Adult Day Services, which opened in 2006, provides meaningful activities for older adults living with dementia, helping them maintain independence while reinforcing their sense of purpose, well-being, and self-worth. The program also offers much-needed respite for caregivers, giving them time to rest and reduce stress while providing access to additional community resources.

For Kristina, knowing her mother is in a safe, welcoming space brings peace of mind.

Barbara joined Adult Day Services a year ago and now attends three days a week and participates in therapeutic recreational activities designed to support her social, cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

“We play games like bingo and concentration, we joke and laugh, and we do exercises—which are important, too. Then we have a nice hot lunch,” Barbara says.

Beyond activities, she finds purpose in connecting with others, and she provides encouragement to fellow participants when they struggle to recall details from their past.

“We’re all in the same boat, so I tell them not to worry. I crack jokes to lift their spirits, and now everyone wants to sit with me because they feel safe,” Barbara says. “Helping them gives me a sense of purpose.”

Kristina has noticed a positive change in Barbara’s mood since she joined the program.

“She used to get quite depressed, but now I see more excitement and joy,” Kristina says. “She has something to look forward to, which she didn’t have before.”

Adult Day Services executive director, Devon Delaney, says the program is designed to be community-inclusive and not only for those living with dementia.

“People can attend simply because they’re socially isolated, so we want to remove that stigma. Individuals are not coming because they’re sick; they’re coming to stay well,” Devon explains.

Your donations to The Salvation Army provide hope where there is hardship through programs like Adult Day Services. Contribute today at www.SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.