LIHU‘E — For just a few minutes Tuesday, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. experienced the meaning of his office. “While you in here, it doesn’t matter what is happening outside those doors,” Carvalho said following his visit to the Kaua‘i Adult
LIHU‘E — For just a few minutes Tuesday, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. experienced the meaning of his office.
“While you in here, it doesn’t matter what is happening outside those doors,” Carvalho said following his visit to the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Services in the Lihu‘e Christian Church social hall. “Now, I guess it’s time to return to the other world.”
Carvalho’s visit tied in with the National Adult Services Week, celebrated Sept. 16-22 through the efforts of the National Adult Day Services Association.
When Carvalho poked his head through the door, people turned their attention to his appearance. And during the presentation of the proclamation, he recognized a neighbor with whom he grew up in Kealia.
He was recognized by others, too, and spent time chatting with a client in a wheelchair while others wanted some time together.
“On Kaua‘i, we are fortunate to be served by an excellent facility which is managed and operated by ‘Ohana Pacific Foundation and the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center,” Carvalho read from the proclamation.
During the National Adult Day Services Week, people in the community pay tribute to the caring and dedicated people who serve the ill, recuperating and aged citizens of our community by providing professional and humanitarian assistance, the proclamation states.
To commemoration was spearheaded by the National Adult Day Services Association to raise awareness of the important service provided by adult day services for older adults and persons with disabilities, states the proclamation.
Adult day service centers provide a coordinated program of professional and compassionate services for adults in a community-based group setting, states the National Adult Day Services Association website.
Services are designed to provide social and some health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day, allowing caregivers respite from the responsibilities of caregiving.
Key findings from 2010 research demonstrate the value of this growing industry which includes more than 4,600 adult day centers in the United States with more than 260,000 participants.
The National Adult Day Services Association was formed in 1979 and has made great progress in promoting the concept of adult day services as a viable community-based care option for people, the proclamation states.
Visit www.nadsa.org for more information, or call 246-6919 for information on the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center.
