In 1985, the very first SarahCare Center opened its doors in Canton, Ohio. Originally called S.A.R.A.H. (Senior Adult Recreation and Health), the facility was one of the first intergenerational sites in the U.S. The senior adult day care center was located next to a child day care center and served as a training and research site for the development of other unique intergenerational programs across the country.
Eventually, directors transitioned S.A.R.A.H.’s name to Sarah Center and, finally, to SarahCare demonstrating the philosophy of care administered to our seniors and their families.
SaraCare cares for those who experience frail and physically dependent, have memory loss, stroke and Parkinson Disease, other chronic diseases, isolation, and depression issues. SaraCare also offer financial assistance (if eligible).
There are an estimated 5 million people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form. If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, you’ll struggle with several challenges as a caregiver—medical, legal, financial, and daily care. You will also have to decide when that person should no longer drive. Most information about patients with dementia warns against driving. Even in the early stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, one or more functions of the brain can be affected and pose a risk when driving. For instance, reaction time can be slowed. Not only is there mechanical confusion to worry about, but there is also the possibility of getting lost. On top of all that, there is then non-dementia related issues such as hearing, vision, and depth perception.
On March 31, 2022, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter of Plainfield, NJ delivered 150 pairs of socks as one of their Z-HOPE Initiatives to SaraCare Adult Daycare Center in Mountainside, NJ. Z-HOPE, Zetas Helping Other People Excel, is an interactive holistic multidimensional outreach program designed to enhance, cultivate, and empower participants to develop health promoting lifestyle choices across the lifespan. Specific to the population groups: Women, Youth, Seniors, Men, and International Women of Color. Chapters are encouraged to collaborate with existing community organizations and resources to provide optimal quality programs that provide maximum impact.
The staff of SaraCare Adult Daycare Center, Kimmie Barfield, Social worker and Gillian Cardona, Activity Director were very excited and appreciative that Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter considered their organization and chose to donate towards their clients for a good cause. Gillian stated that “they are rarely recognized for the work they do, and the clients will put the socks to good use. They will tie die them to accompany the t-shirts they recently created.”
Thank you to the Sorors who participated in the collecting and donating of socks and to those who came out to deliver them to SaraCare Adult Daycare Center.
~Doris Nicholson
