Cornerstone Adult Day Services is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. That is 40 years of supporting elderly adults fighting to hold onto their independence and supporting the caregivers who need help providing for their loved one while still working themselves.

When the adult day program began in the early 1970s, it was often seen as a place families could simply leave elderly family members during the day for social interaction while they went to work. But with the increase in the prevalence of diseases affecting the aging population, such as Alzheimer’s disease, adult day care has become so much more.

People are living longer today and their needs have shifted from simple social interaction to essential medical care. While a family member may want to find a way to take care of an aging parent, doing it 24-7 on your own is nearly impossible. That caregiver still needs to be able to work full-time to support not only their aging family member, but likely the rest of their family as well. By providing a safe, secure and caring environment for loved ones to spend the day, Cornerstone has provided a valuable service to the community.

They were one of the first in the country and they have provided a model for the rest of the country.

Cornerstone provides a place for these people to stay and receive medical support as needed, but the staff also designs programs to keep individuals as active and sharp as possible for as long as possible. They are helping those experiencing memory loss to prevent the worsening of their condition through cognitive activities, nutrition and counseling.

As the nature of aging has changed, Cornerstone has adapted. They have grown in more than just size, expanding from one center in the basement of a church to five centers throughout the state. They have grown in the way they approach support for the elderly individuals put in their care.

Because of Cornerstone and their evolution over the past 40 years, adult day programs are seen as so much more than a day care; it is a place where the elderly can continue to live their lives the way they chose with a caring staff and a place that provides piece of mind to the caregivers.

Congratulations on 40 years of success and growth; here’s to 40 more.