Seniors and sisters combine to get daycare services

For the past three months, the sounds of senior citizens laughing and singing has echoed through St. Joseph's Provincial House in Latham.

The voices belong not only to the retired Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who live there but also to elderly people from the community who arrive each day.

That's due to the inauguration of Bright Horizons at Carondelet, a senior daycare program that provides a day away from home for Colonie-area seniors.

Return

The presence of the seniors is something of a homecoming at the Provincial House. In 1981, Bright Horizons first linked with the Provincial House to offer day care for aged people so that family members and caregivers could take a break.

The not-for-profit group and the Sisters of St. Joseph reached an agreement because the nuns had the facility and Bright Horizons had the clientele.

Wendy Colonno, program director for Bright Horizons, said the program quickly outgrew Carondelet and moved away. Last year, however, her group again contacted the sisters.

"Our daycare program has really blossomed over its 24 years of service to the senior citizens and families of Colonie," she noted. "We wanted to come back to the convent is because we always had such a nice working relationship with the Sisters."

Homey atmosphere

Sisters Grace Bacon and Rose Irene Parkhurst direct the Bright Horizons site at the Provincial House.

"It is a basic adult daycare program that provides a comfortable, home-like setting, as much like their own homes as possible," said Sister Grace. "They become socially involved with each other and participate in a variety of daily activities."

Those activities include discussions of current events, exercise, visits to the chapel and crafts.

"We also have sing-alongs, line dancing and even Bingo," Sister Grace noted, adding that "we keep them pretty busy, but there is always time for relaxation or rest, if they wish."

Personalized

Carondelet provides each person with whatever his or her particular needs happen to be, noted Sister Grace.

"Some like quiet time; others love to socialize," she said. "We really just try to have a relaxed atmosphere that provides what they need. For most, that means simply socializing, spending time together. For us, it means providing them with meals and meeting their needs."

She added that the most important aspects of the day include giving personal care to each individual and providing a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere.

"For a few hours a day, Carondelet becomes a 'home away from home' for them, a place where we hope they can relax," Sister Grace said. "This program fits perfectly into the life of Carondelet. It is a bridge between our [convent] system [of living] and the larger community. We are all learning from each other."

(Ten to 15 seniors receive services each day, along with a handful of Sisters of St. Joseph who are in residence at the convent.)

(3/17/05)