Elderwise offers a multifaceted inclusive curriculum that builds on participants' strengths and capabilities. The curriculum attends to the social, physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs of individuals with an emphasis on wholeness, dignity, reverence, and respect for elders.
The Elderwise Program fills a crucial gap in local senior services by providing meaningful activity in a warm, intimate, and inviting environment for elders. Elderwise serves a broad range of seniors who are seeking community due to personal loss and/or physical or cognitive changes. These losses often keep elders from the social, creative, and intellectual activities that we all need.
Elderwise is a progressive program that is becoming a model for the delivery of thoughtful and artistic services for older adults.
Our program consists of enriching discussions and various forms of movement, exercise, relaxation, art, and music. A warm, freshly prepared, organic and nutritious meal is shared and enjoyed by staff and participants together.
The Elderwise Adult Day Center is centrally located in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle. We are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a maximum of eight participants each day. Our 1 to 4 ratio allows for careful attention to the safety and comfort of each participant. The cost to attend is $65 per day.
We assist participants in obtaining transportation and our facilities are wheelchair accessible. People of all races and religions are celebrated. Elderwise is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization.
10:00 to 10:45 Conversation, Tea or Coffee
11:00 to 12:00 Artistic Work
12:15 to 12:45 Movement/Exercise
1:00 to 1:30 Graciously Served Lunch
1:30 to 2:00 Thoughtful Discussion
Art, exercise, nutrition and meaningful celebrations improve and enhance participants' health and well-being.
These activities serve to replenish meaningful relationships in the participants' lives. Great care is taken to provide an environment that is warm and secure, both metaphorically and literally.
Our aim is to help our participants rise above whatever situations they may find themselves in during their later years, and to consider what can be gained in the process of aging.
When participants arrive, they gather together over tea or coffee, and enjoy a brief social time until the more structured program begins.
Beverage and snack services are elegantly served in a convivial atmosphere. We consistently provide good- tasting, eye-appealing meals to assure digestion and adequate nutrition, frequently an overlooked area in senior health.
Music often fills our center with life expanding purpose. The live music and songs, with their rhythm and familiar tunes, make activities and transitions more joyous and the group interactions more spontaneous.
During our movement session, we offer directed exercises with consideration of each participant's capabilities. This exercise program is carried out in a safe environment supervised by a physical therapist.
Stretching, strengthening, breathing, and relaxation exercises are taught through modified yoga, forms of simple dance, and movement designed specifically for our participants' abilities.
A healthful lunch is provided as a time to socialize, for excellent nutrition, and for the sheer pleasure of eating.
Using clay, watercolor, Raku, and other media, we introduce the multi-sensory stimulation of sight, touch, hearing, and smell through interactive experiences with a subject.
These activities stimulate creativity that serves as a life force and gives new direction and meaning to the elder participant.
"Thank you so much. My days with you are very special to me. Bless you all.
