Engaging Seniors & Serving Their Caregivers
By Natalie Scott
When Litenia “Tina” had a heart attack, it rocked the whole family. Tina was a very outgoing and social person who was active in the community. After Tina spent 13 minutes without oxygen, her daughter, Ashley did not know what to expect.
When Tina woke up they discovered she had a brain injury and low vision. Tina wanted to remain a part of the community and that is when she found Easterseals Adult Day program.
“When I walked into Easterseals, I saw a lot of people and it felt like family,” Tina said. “You know I love Easterseals because I have been there five years!”
While Tina is enjoying painting, dancing, companionship, exercising and other arts & crafts projects five days a week in the day program, Ashley is able to take online college classes, run errands, go to doctor’s appointments and care for her son. Along with the day program, Ashley takes advantage of Easterseals Personal Attendant Services so she can focus on caring for mom and son, and the respite program so she can care for herself as well.
“I’m glad I am able to take care of my family,” Ashley says. “Having Easterseals services means a lot for my mental health. It helps to have time to myself. As a caregiver you can get overwhelmed and overworked. It is important to have time to restore myself and unwind. After all, ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup.’”
Easterseals is delighted to have Tina as this year’s ambassador for their 10th annual “Walk With Me & 5K Fun Run Delmarva” event. The event is scheduled for 3 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at Baywood Greens, 32267 Clubhouse Way, Long Neck, DE.
Funds raised through “Walk With Me” help Easterseals provide critically needed services to families like Tina’s, living with disabilities in our local community. Registration for this year’s “Walk With Me” event is available at www.walkwithme.org/delmarva. For more information, contact Missy Baker at 302-221-2078 or [email protected].
“We are so excited to be the ambassador family for this year’s event,” Ashley says. “My mom feels at home at Easterseals and I know she is safe. We support each other. Easterseals is like family!”
Like all Easterseals services, adult day care services are comprehensive and individualized to meet each client’s needs, family-focused to meet each family member’s concerns and have the goal of enhanced independence. The adult day care program offers a break for family caregivers responsible for a relative who is unable to function independently, but does not require 24-hour nursing care. For more information about Easterseals Adult Day Care Services contact Maggie Webb 302-324-4444 or [email protected].
Please visit their website and see all of the local services for people of all ages and abilities: www.de.easterseals.com.
100 Enterprise Place, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904
NEW SMYRNA LOCATION!!! 699 South Carter Road, Suite 3, Smyrna, DE 19977
61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720
Please visit our website and see all of our services for people of all ages and abilities: www.de.easterseals.com
