Caring for a parent, spouse, family member or friend is wonderful and exhausting. What are you to do if you need to go to work, attend an appointment or simply take time for yourself? Adult day service could be the answer.
Joy’s House, a not-for-profit adult day care service provider, is focused on offering care, safety and community for aging adults and those living with physical and mental challenges. It provides an opportunity for the adults to participate in a social environment designed to improve quality of life while also offering temporary relief for their caregiver.
Tina McIntosh, founder of Joy’s House, first became interested in the idea of opening an adult day service when she volunteered at a center in Muncie as a freshman at Ball State University.
Meanwhile, statistics show that one out every four persons is a caregiver for a loved one. This affects everyone involved — the aging adult, the caregiver, the caregiver’s employer and the community at large.
For example, Jerrylean Johnson quit her part-time job to be the sole caregiver for her husband, General J. Johnson, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Jerrylean describes Joy’s House as a home away from home for her husband and uses Joy’s House when she needs a day off.
“It’s good to have a place where you just don’t have to worry. I don’t have to worry when I bring him here. I feel very comfortable. I am completely free. He loves coming here. My husband often says, ‘They give everybody such good attention. Everyone is included no matter their condition.’ He loves that,” said Jerrylean.
Currently, Joy’s House is only able to accommodate up to 23 guests at a time in order to provide space and comfort for the guests as well as the staff. The organization plans to assist twice as many families when it adds on to the current facility, scheduled to be completed this summer.
The company is able to offset costs thanks to charitable donations from the community and also hosts special events to raise money such as Black Tie Bingo and A Day Away caregiver retreat.
Jerrylean really enjoyed the caregiver retreat where she received massages and visited with nursing home representatives.
“The thing that really got me and really brought tears was when we got back here to pick up our guests, we all had a bouquet of flowers and that’s really touching. It’s nice to have a place like this.”
Nestled inside a 100-year-old farmhouse, guests of Joy’s House partake in mentally and physically stimulating activities such as drawing, volleyball, bowling and strolling in the garden.
“It’s time well spent. Never a dull moment,” General voiced.
Joy’s House is named after the amazing emotion joy that embraces everything done at Joy’s House. The home is painted a bright yellow to represent happiness and remind people of warmth and sunshine.
President and chief executive officer, McIntosh explained, “How much the community supports and believes in what we are doing is important. We are very blessed.”
