Fran, an 85-year-old grandmother, shows no signs of slowing down—despite a nasty fall on ice 10 years ago that resulted in a broken wrist, arm, hip and fingers. The cold weather occasionally causes those old injuries to flare up, but she doesn't let pain get the best of her. She still lives on her own and, four days a week, goes to adult day care at Carver County Care Center, a United Way partner agency.

The program is available to seniors and others (18+) with mental and/or physical disabilities. Staffed by five professionals, including a social worker and therapeutic recreation therapist, the center is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Most of the seniors in the program use the center's bus service that provides door-to-door pick-up and drop-off.

Families of the adult day care participants also benefit from the program. They receive updates about their loved ones' activities at the center, monthly and quarterly newsletters, phone calls if there are concerns about the person's health, personal support as needed for difficult situations, referrals for home services and other information.

Fran enjoys everything adult day care offers-a wide variety of activities throughout the day including arts and crafts projects, music of the 1940s, baking, cards and games, movies, scheduled downtime, a warm noon meal, snacks and daily stretching, strengthening and fall-prevention exercises. The staff keeps the monthly schedule full of fun activities and children from a local day care center visit weekly.

Thankful for the program, the staff and friends she's made through the center, Fran said, "I love it here." And Fran's daughter June added, "My mom's life is fulfilled."

United Way’s Agenda for Lasting Change focuses on 10 measurable goals in our three focus areas: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Health and Independence and Nurturing Children and Families. One goal is helping an additional 15,000 seniors and people with disabilities maximize their independence by 2010.

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