A new adult day centre was opened in Steveston Tuesday, offering services to seniors experiencing physical or cognitive challenges.
“It’s like a child day care centre, but for seniors,” said Eileen Lao, public affairs manager for S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Jackson Lam Adult Day Centre, co-located at the Austin Harris Residence at 5411 Moncton Street, was made possible after a $300,000 donation was received from Ping Mah as well as the Lam family.
The centre provides space for up to 25 seniors to connect and socialize from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
“Seniors tend to be less mobile. Some are isolated because they are unable to go outside to meet with people,” said Lao.
“They can be dropped off at the centre by their families or carers in the morning, meet with others of a similar age, take part in activities, be taken care of by staff, and then get picked up in the afternoon.”
Activities include exercises, baking classes, arts and crafts, games and singalongs.
The centre also organizes field trips, monitors attendees’ health and provides lunch with both Western and Chinese food on the menu.
To be eligible, people first need to get an assessment and referral from health authorities. Some may be only allowed to enter the centre a few days a week due to high demand, according to Lao.
“These types of centres are still a new thing, but have been very popular. We already have a long line up for this new centre,” she said.
The program, which is subsidized by Vancouver Coastal Health(VCH), costs members $9 a day and includes lunch and snacks.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is seeking more donations to make sure the centre will run in the long term.
“My family and I are really thrilled with the official opening of the centre, as a lot of seniors and their families can benefit from the services and support of this program,” said Mah, daughter of Jackson Lam.
This is the second adult day centre to open in Richmond. The other is the Richmond Kinsmen ADC, located at 100 - 6100 Bowling Green Road, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and has 94 members.
VCH plans to create a total of 25 new adult day program spaces in Richmond in partnership with S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Austin Harris Residence is located at the site of the old Austin Harris elementary school, near Westwind.
