Janet* provides daily care for her husband who has been diagnosed with dementia. She reached out to St. Agnes Adult Day Services looking for a safe place for him to spend time so she could tackle her growing to do list.
Janet brought her husband to St. Agnes for the first time with her list in hand. At the end of the day, when she returned for her husband, Barb, the director, asked her how her day went. “I went home and slept,” Janet shared. “It was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time because I knew my husband was safe.”
Since 1997, St. Agnes Adult Day Services has provided a stimulating environment for individuals with dementia or seniors who need a place to go during the day while their caregivers take care of other responsibilities or find respite. The organization serves an average of fifteen guests each day with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers and staff, including Director Barbara Kubiszak who has been there since the beginning.
“I’m a nurse,” Barb shared. “It’s in my heart to help other people. Our caregivers, like Janet, are in such need of a break. They get burned out so easily. I’m glad St. Agnes can provide that much needed break so they can do what they need to do to take care of themselves.”
“It’s difficult for caregivers to ask for help and to turn over care of their loved ones, but when they do, the difference is noticeable. Guests are smiling more when they leave,” Barb said. “The mental and physical stimulation that they receive during the day really makes a difference. They make friends. They are safe here. This is their place.”
Like the guests who come to St. Agnes for care, the building itself requires care. The twenty-seven-year-old facility has undergone significant renovations in recent years, including new flooring. Through a series of Community Fund grants, the Porter County Community Foundation recently helped replace the original worn flooring throughout the building, eliminating tripping hazards. The switch from carpet to laminate helps the space feel more welcoming to those seeking respite.
St. Agnes fulfills an important need in our community and makes a difference in the lives of the guests and caregivers they serve. Your philanthropic support of the Porter County Community Foundation makes Community Fund grants to local organizations like St. Agnes possible.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
