By Dalia Díaz
A very impressive kind of adult day care has opened up in Lawrence. Quality Life is located in the space previously occupied by American Training on 102 Glenn St.
The space is ample with an enormous variety of activities. At present, they offer services to between 90 and 100 individuals with a range of disabilities and they believe they will soon reach the maximum allowed of 252 clients. “Considering that we opened on April 8th with 22, we are certain that it will happen within a short time,” said Oscar Agudelo, director of Quality Life.
People are picked up after 7:00 a.m., brought to the center and taken back home after 4:00 p.m. where they are served breakfast and lunch. All of the participants are Latinos so the lunch is provided by Pollo Cibao Restaurant in Lawrence. Pollo Cibao was inspected by the Department of Public Health and approved for providing nutritional meals.
While the program is not designed to develop job skills, they give an array of services that alleviate the families from responsibilities.
With the help of nurses that are present the entire day, they do learn health related skills through presentations and are free to consult them with any concern. A full-time social worker handles all their problems and needs such making doctors’ appointments, finding an apartment for them, etc.
During the day, they can be driven to doctors’ appointments, shopping, field trips, and to the Social Security office when they have to pick up their checks.
The entertainment part of the day consists of 10 domino tables, 4 billiard tables, arts and crafts, sewing classes, English, beginning computer classes to help them understand the internet and how to use emails. They may choose to take part on these activities or not since they have no set schedule.
They also have a theatre with reclining chairs, religious services and a quiet room for those who want a tranquil space to meditate.
