By Jeremy Morak, Marketing Manager
Families in the Buffalo area searching for care and support for their loved ones should know about the Lighthouse Guild community-based long-term care program called GuildCare, the only Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program in New York state designated as a special needs program for the visually impaired. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are only 4,200 ADHC centers in the U.S. providing services to about 250,000 individuals daily.
GuildCare members range in age from 21 to 95, and have various health conditions or functional vision problems. They receive two daily meals, and enjoy structured activities Monday through Friday, such as picnics, baseball games, shopping, bowling, and ice cream trips. Individuals can also receive speech, physical, and occupational therapy, nutrition counseling, daily onsite medication, and help by professionals trained to work with those who are visually impaired. Mental health counseling and support groups focused on mental health and traumatic brain injuries, and coping with vision loss are also available. GuildCare also provides bilingual staff for those who speak Spanish.
Another aspect of GuildCare is giving back to the community. Members help Meals on Wheels, work with local Veteran organizations, and make crafts and decorations for the Buffalo Oishei Children’s Hospital. Jeannine Palazza, Director of GuildCare, works with her staff to cultivate an environment that meets all the needs of a health care day program, while also making it feel like home. Palazza looks forward to GuildCare’s annual talent show on September 21 at 1: 30 p.m. during National Adult Day Healthcare Appreciation week, in celebration of GuildCare’s 31’s Anniversary.
GuildCare centers are located in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Albany, and Manhattan. Visit www.lighthouseguild.org/healthcare-services/adult-day-health-care to learn more, or call 716-885-8041.
