Gull House, Beebe Healthcare’s adult day care program for functionally impaired adults, is expanding its program to give specialized attention to those clients who have progressed in the disease process and now require smaller group interaction..
Recently, Gull House Activities Specialist Adam Reese starting taking a few clients aside each day for about an hour in a pilot program for more individualized activities that include painting, puzzles, sorting, and reminiscing. The clients take part in those activities while the majority of the other clients are playing bingo and taking part in other group activities that require focus and a longer attention span.
“The extra attention has been so good for these clients that they are talking more and enjoying themselves. Because of that, we decided to expand this individualized program,” Kathleen said. To do that, the Gull House plans to renovate its attached, two-car garage into an additional room.
Gull House has been providing day care for functionally impaired adults at its Rehoboth Beach facility for 28 years. On average, about 25 clients attend the program each day. It has a professional healthcare team experienced in the care of patients with dementia. All staff members are certified as Dementia Practitioners. Gull House also hosts a monthly meeting of the Alzheimer’s Association support group.
Gull House is supported by Beebe Healthcare, a grant from the Delaware Division of Services for Aging Adults with Physical Disabilities and for those seniors who qualify for the Delaware Medicaid Program. For more information about Gull House, please call (302) 226-2160.
“Gull House is one of Beebe’s best kept secrets,” said Judy Aliquo, President and CEO of Beebe Medical Foundation. “Its experienced team does so much to help people with dementia to improve their quality of life. The program also gives family members and caregivers some respite, knowing that their loved ones are well cared for while they take some time for themselves.
Caption: Gull House Administrator Kathleen Graham-Frey, MA, CTRS, NHA/L, CDPI, pictured here, claps during festivities at the fundraising kick-off event. In the background is Activities Specialist Adam Reese.
Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehab services. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebehealthcare.org.