Day program offers activities, company

? The grounds that make up the Midland Care Connection facility in Topeka are tucked away in a campus of green grass, flower beds and blooming trees.

But on a recent morning, Maudie Harris, 73, and Roberta Mize, activities coordinator for Midland’s Adult Day Program, were planning their getaways.

Harris ticked off a list of potential field trips: the chocolate factory, Wal-Mart, the craft store and the zoo.

Maybe they could go to the zoo and the craft store on the same day, Harris said.

“You’d be so worn out and I’d be so worn out, I’d lay down and take a nap,” Mize said.

Harris laughed and agreed.

All morning seniors had come in and out of the dining area where Harris sat. Some had been dropped off by their children and others picked up in vans. The program has a few seniors from Lawrence.

Adult day programs – where seniors can spend the day under the watchful eyes of caregivers and then return home at night – are among the range of options to keep them living in their homes longer.

They also can be useful to seniors’ children who are taking care of their parents but have to work during the day and need a caregiver. The cost of the Midland program is $50 a day, a price that drops the more a client uses it.

At 73, Maryjo Henderson, who lives alone, has been part of the program for three years. She is president of the Red Hat Club, a group of ladies from the program who meet Friday mornings at the center to drink tea, eat doughnuts and don the obligatory red hat.

“It’s better than being by myself,” Henderson said. “It provides a lot of company for you.”