what we do

Adult Day Center

Here is a wonderful example of the contribution the Louisville Adult Day Center offers to families described in an article from the Today's Wellness Column of the March, 2005 issue of Today's Woman, page 30:

"Tammy Herbert is the librarian at St. Gabriel school, and her 82-year-old mother has been living with her for about 15 months. Tammy's mother, Florence Ballard had lived alone until she suffered a fall and ended up in the hospital. Florence's diagnosis came as Parkinson's and multi-system atrophy. Because she could not walk, Florence went into a nursing home for seven months for therapy to get her moving again.

Once mobile, Tammy and her husband decided to bring Florence to live with them. Because Tammy and her husband both work, Tammy looked into having someone come and care for her mom while she was gone. She realized she had another option when the hospital recommended an adult day care.

Tammy looked at several places, but liked the smaller numbers at the adult day center at Fern Creek [Highview United] Ministries. Florence is one of 17 "frail older adults" who are cared for by a nurse, three aids and a director."

Since 1990, Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries has also provided services to frail older adults and their families through its Adult Day Center. The Louisville Adult Day Center was made possible in part by the generosity of St. Bernard Catholic Church who offered space - a house that had once been a convent. The Adult Day Center which started out as a social model Adult Day Center, is now a state licensed health model Adult Day Center, with a full-time nurse. The Adult Day Center balances cognitive activities with physical activities in a structured fun-filled day. An optional breakfast is offered, along with a hot lunch and an afternoon snack. Activities include exercises, games, music and other entertainment, intergenerational activities, pet visits, and much more. Individuals coming to the Adult Day Center need supervision because of health or cognitive challenges. Some participants have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other type of dementia; others are recovering from strokes, have problems with balance, or have other health related issues such as diabetes, congestive heart failure or depression.

The Louisville Adult Day Center provides a safe environment for care-givers to bring their loved one while they work, or take out time for much needed respite from 24 hour a day care-giving. The Adult Day Center staff become a support team for the care-giver working with doctors and family to provide the best care for the older adult. The Adult Day Center is a fun place, celebrating the strengths of the older adult, helping him or her to function at his or her highest level. The Adult Day Center allows the older adult to remain in his or her home, or that of a loved one for as long as possible, preventing premature nursing home placement. The Adult Day Center works with other community agencies such as the Alzheimer's Association, TRIAD, and KIPDA - the Area Agency On Aging to insure the best service for the frail elderly of our community and their families.

Individual & Family Assistance Center and Our Current Wish List

The mission of the Individual & Family Assistance Center is to provide a caring, responsive environment to which families in crisis come to receive assistance in resolving their crisis. IFAC meets basic needs by providing food, clothing, personal items, and emergency financial assistance (for rent or mortgage, utilities, & prescriptions). The Individual & Family Assistance Center works with families, connecting them with other community services, and when needed advocates on their behalf. The Individual & Family Assistance Center provides life skills counseling, job networking, and other resource information to help families move beyond their crisis and move toward self sufficiency. Special holiday and seasonal programs are also provided to help families in need. Additional information on IFAC

Families In Transition

Divorce has a major impact on families - particularly those with children. In order to cope more effectively with the problems that result from divorce, anyone who has children can attend the Families In Transition Program which is a six hour education program on divorce adjustment. The court ordered program provides age appropriate educational sessions for children ages 5-18, and for all parents of children under 18. Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries provides this program several times a year. (Other Families In Transitions sessions are available throughout the Metro area year round at other sites.)

Health Equipment & Loan Program

Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries also operates H.E.L.P. - the Health Equipment Loan Program. Through H.E.L.P., individuals are able to borrow wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, and even hospital beds free of charge for as long as needed. Fern Creek Space Center provides a storage unit for this purpose.