Pathways is a real treasure

By Anne Peacock

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One of the real treasures in the Iowa City community is Pathways Adult Day Health Center.

This amazing non-profit resource provides a caring environment for adults who are unable to remain safely alone in their homes. It enables family members to continue working outside the home and still care for their loved one within the family framework. It also provides necessary respite for family members who are the participants' primary care givers.

This is a win-win situation for the entire family. My 91-year-old mother has attended Pathways for the last 10 years. During this time, she has gone from being almost catatonic to being a very verbal and engaged senior citizen.

Mom's day includes meals and snacks and many planned activities including Book Club, History Club, Spa Day, Cooking Club, Music Therapy, Bingo, Train Club, speakers, exercises, chair yoga, games, and numerous seasonal activities.

Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy are available for clients. For those who are unable to bath at home, this can be provided at Pathways for a minimal charge. Other nursing procedures, such as catheterization, tube feeding and medication administration, can be done with a physician's order. More win-win situations.

The need we all have for socialization is well met at Pathways. Mom was socially isolated and minimally verbal when she started attending Pathways. Within months, she became articulate and animated.

The fees for attending Pathways are very reasonable and roughly equivalent to what one pays for child care. They are also much less than the cost of nursing home care, which currently averages just under $4,000 per month in Iowa.

My mom's decision to participate in adult day care was a difficult one. In our family's case, it was a bad fall and two sprained wrists that forced the issue. We could no longer be blind to the fact that it was unsafe for Mom to remain home alone while I was at work.

It takes time to adjust to any new routine. Initially, Mom reluctantly agreed to attend Pathways two days per week. This gradually evolved to five full days per week. Now wild horses could not keep her from attending on a full-time basis.

Excellent, caring, concerned, knowledgeable and attentive are only some of the many adjectives that apply to Pathways staff. Mom's eyesight was saved due to the knowledge of their registered nurse.

For those that are interested in learning more about Pathways, contact Jeff Kellbach, Director, at 319-339-6162, or JKellbach@abbe.org. A free visit day is a great way to experience Pathways first hand, and see if this could be a win-win situation for your family.

Anne Peacock resides in Coralville. Comments: Anne-Peacock@uiowa.edu