A FUN & HEALTHY WAY TO SPEND THE DAY: Friedwald Center hosts Adult Day Health Care at Building A in Pomona

BY DYLAN SKRILOFF

Shortly after Rockland County cleared out Building A of the Yeager Healthy Center in Pomona last January, the New City-based Friedwald Center became the first new tenant in the building, hosting an Adult Day Health Care program. The county used to host a similar program.

On Monday, May 15 spirits were high for Show and Tell day at the program, as 50 or so seniors and disabled persons gathered to share memories and mementos. Friedwald staff members including program director Blimy Krauss, nursing coordinator Melka Zabner, Sara Ehrman and others ran the event, while keeping a watchful eye and ear out for the needs of their clients.

Senior citizen Dolores Diaz told the Rockland County Times that she enjoyed her time in the day program and raved about the staff. “I am thankful for the way they treat me. Everyone here treats me like a person,” said Diaz, a former Watertown resident who  moved downstate to live with her granddaughter. “This staff is the best. I don’t know what they do, but they are well-trained. They are like a family and they call us by name.”

A senior named Midge sitting next to Diaz concurred with her assessment. “I heard what Dolores said and I agree,” Midge said emphatically.

When the Rockland County Times visited Friedwald’s main facility in New City a few years ago, similar sentiments were shared by the residents at that location. Company leaders said the guiding philosophy of Friedwald is “patient-first.” According to their website, “Our priority is always the patient; making sure he/she is not just comfortable, but pampered in every way.”

Regular daily activities at the program include art, bingo, “dancercise,” fun and fitness games, karaoke, movies, cards, sports, music therapeutic activities, trips, trivia and yoga to name a few. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments are served.

Krauss said the program has a special activity day once a month – this month it was Show and Tell – and a group birthday party for everyone with a birthday that given month. The skills and interests of clients are encouraged at the program. For example, client Peter Haas produces a regular newsletter he hands out to fellow day care enrollees and for Show and Tell he used his technological skills to make a special slide show.

A diverse crowd attends the day care program at Building A, with clients running the gamut of social groups from every part of Rockland. The program is designed for clients who have certain medical needs such as diabetic management, blood pressure monitoring, medication administration management, restorative rehabilitation, respiratory treatments, wound care, cognitive stimulation, fall risk prevention and assistance with activities of daily living (ADL).

In addition to the main activity room, the rented space includes a physical therapy area. The medical needs of the clientele are closely monitored by Zabner and her staff. The extra attention clients receive during their time in the program can sometimes be crucial. Zabner and Krauss noted that last week a client had a cardiac emergency and day care staff was able to immediately respond to the situation, possibly saving the client’s life.

The program, which has a capacity of 66 persons per day, has room for new enrollees. If you are interested in enrolling yourself or a family member in the program contact Blimy Krauss at 845-641-6599 or 845-694-6221. The program runs six days a week (Sunday through Friday) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and accepts VA insurance, Medicaid, longterm plans or private pay.

Visit www.friedwaldadultday.com to learn more.

  adult health care, Friedwald Center, health rockland, Pomona