The chance to find care, companionship and socialization was a blessing.
Every day, Judy Fuhr provides care for her husband, Claude, as he deals with dementia. She provides his meals, helps him with his medication, and does hundreds of small tasks to ensure that he’s safe and comfortable.
The work is precious to her, but being a caregiver can sometimes be overwhelming. Finding a few hours to run errands, or do something as simple as get her hair done, can be nearly impossible. But earlier this year, the Fuhrs found respite in A Senior Retreat.
“It’s been an answer to a prayer for people who need to run errands. When you have someone with dementia, you can’t leave them alone otherwise,” she said. “We’re very happy with the services they provide; they’re not sitting in front of a TV, they have activities and prepare meals. My husband has been doing very well there.”
Since opening in Franklin earlier this year, A Senior Retreat has offered a place for older adults in need of assistance or supervision to find compassion, companionship and encouragement. The adult day program features daily activities such as board games, art projects, baking and exercise, giving their clients — which staff members call “friends” — a chance to socialize and interact with others.
At the same time, it provides an opportunity for caregivers to have time of their own, without worrying about the care their loved one is receiving.
“It’s a few hours a week where they don’t have to worry about what their loved one is doing, if they’re eating their lunch, if they’re in the house unsupervised,” said Susan Lowe, founder of A Senior Retreat. “Our program is almost more for the family caregiver than anything.”
Inside A Senior Retreat’s bright and airy rooms, staff members had set up different activities and opportunities for their friends to keep busy.
A partially completed puzzle covered a table looking out a window, where people could see cars driving back and forth on West Jefferson Street. Shelves held checkers, Connect 4 and Uno if small groups wanted to play a game.
Comfortable chairs had been arranged in the main sitting room, where people could sit and talk, or just relax. A large kitchen allowed some friends to help staff fix lunch or snacks. Other areas of the facility were set up for crafts, or featured soothing lights and covered windows where people could go if they become overstimulated.
All of it is intended to help older adults interact and socialize.
“Ultimately, it’s all about the peer engagement. When you retire, and you’re diagnosed with whatever disease and symptom., you become categorized so many times in our communities,” Lowe said. “It’s about giving people the space where they can make friends again.”
Lowe founded A Senior Retreat in 2014, after working for more than 20 years in the senior care industry. She was working as the manager of a home care agency, and had been asked by the agency’s owner to find another revenue source for the business. Her research led her to the idea of a senior day service.
Though her home care agency decided not to pursue a day center, Lowe felt it was a desperately needed service.
“Our program is more for the family caregiver than anything,” she said. “Our friends do enjoy themselves; they become fast friends.
After receiving her administrator’s license, Lowe decided to create a business that served seniors.
She opened her initial A Senior Retreat location in Martinsville, purchasing a vacant church and remodeling it into a space that could accommodate 25 to 30 seniors each day.
“I wanted our friends’ experience to be second to home — so comfortable and welcoming and positive and colorful,” she said. “
The success of the service, and the glowing testimonies from families who used it, convinced Lowe to look at expansion. After searching in the area, she found a renovated house — which had formerly been an optometrist’s office — on the west side of Franklin.
Though a smaller building, the Franklin location features all the activities and engagements that A Senior Retreat staff had developed in Martinsville.
Fuhr discovered A Senior Retreat soon after it opened in the spring. She saw some information on Facebook about an open house, and went to investigate it.
Claude Fuhr was comfortable in the space, and Judy Fuhr felt good having him stay at the facility for a few hours during the week.
They’ve used the day service ever since. Claude Fuhr goes three days a week, arriving in mid-morning and leaving in the afternoon. While he’s doing activities and seeing his friends, Judy Fuhr take some time for her herself.
“I can go to a hair appointment or lunch with friends, and I don’t have to worry about finding someone to stay with him,” she said. “I know he’s involved in activities, and feel like he’s well taken care of,” she said.
Staff put together a full schedule for seniors to take part in. They do seasonal crafts, play games like Balloon Ball or oversized bowling or listen to music. Baking Club helps them fix a snack or treat, then eat the results of their work.
Clients walk around the facility’s backyard if the weather is nice, or sit outside in the driveway to socialize.
“We have some very busy folks who like to walk and be active. So as we have the staff to allow, we can go on nice walks or strolls,” said Staci LaGrange, program director at A Senior Retreat.
While entertaining, the games and pastimes have dual purposes.
“We’re working on strength and endurance and hand-eye coordination. So even if it seems a little silly at times, we’re trying to keep their cognitive abilities as high as we can,” LaGrange said.
“If they have dementia or any diagnosis, those arts and crafts activities let them start a project and go on to have a finished product. They finished something,” Lowe said.
Their work is having an impact. One of the families that it serves nominated A Senior Retreat for a Hardworking Hoosier Award, a distinction presented by State Rep. Michelle Davis. Davis, who represents much of northern Johnson County, to community members who make the county a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Being nominated for the award by one of their clients’ families was a great honor.
“In 30 years, I’ve had lots of compliments from families, but never had someone go to that level to nominate me to something like this,” she said.
At the time, A Senior Retreat only has locations in Martinsville and Franklin, but the need for senior day services is great. Lowe would like to expand farther, with a focus on small and rural communities.
“I believe in the state of Indiana, there are fewer than 40 of these facilities,” she said. “It’s an under-utilized service that doesn’t exist in those communities.”
AT A GLANCE
A Senior Retreat
What: An adult day program designed to provide care, companionship, and socialization for adults who need assistance or supervision during the day.
Where: 1040 W. Jefferson St., Franklin
Information: Go to aseniorretreat.com or call 317)-999-8145
