On Oct. 12, Elderday hosted a grand opening for its big, new location at 501 Main St. in downtown Watsonville, giving more seniors a place to socialize and stay healthy while living in their own homes for as long as possible.
The festivities included naming a room in honor of Majel Jordan, who founded Elderday in 1981.
To make this project a reality, Elderday’s parent organization Community Bridges secured a $2.5 million grant from the Central California Alliance for Health in 2021 to buy this 12,591-square-foot property, which was home to Watsonville Home Elegance, a furniture store.
Construction of the new facility began in April 2022, and was completed in September 2023.
Community Bridges CEO Raymon Cancino (with scissors) cuts the ribbon Oct. 12 to signify the grand opening of Elderday Adult Day Health Care’s new Watsonville location with the help of (from left) Central California Alliance for Health CEO Michael Schrader, Elderday Program Director Lois Sones, Deputy Director of the California Department of Aging Denise Likar and Santa Cruz County Bank’s Kristine Ronzano.
The new venue boasts 3,600 additional square feet compared to Elderday’s previous site on Pioneer Street in Santa Cruz, serving 150 people.
The new site is conveniently located next to Community Bridges headquarters at 519 Main St., making it possible to support intergenerational activities involving the programs for children and families operating under the Community Bridges umbrella.
Jordan was the Elderday program director until 2004-05, and a pioneer in developing statewide adult day health care programs.
She then served on the board of Elderday’s parent organization, Community Bridges.
Jordan was on hand to see the new digs.
Elderday is the only community-based adult services program in Santa Cruz County and one of just two such programs on the Central Coast.
Initially, Elderday was an adult day program, providing socializing activities, assistance with toileting, and oversight of weight and blood pressure.
But it was clear more services were needed so Elderday obtained a license from by the Department of Public Health and Department of Aging to become an “Adult Day Health Center,” with a mission of preventing unnecessary and inappropriate hospitalizations.
This made it possible to add occupational and physical therapy and nursing services provided by a registered nurse.
Weekday hours allow Elderday participants to stay independent and in their own homes while offering family members and caregivers respite.
Community Bridges sees the expansion as needed to serve the age 65-84 population, up 80.9% in Santa Cruz County since 2010, more than any other region in California.
More than 11,000 of the county’s 72,000 older adults are eligible for Medi-Cal. And 1 in 5 older adults in Santa Cruz County lives in isolation.
Elderday has several funding sources. About 75% of participants are covered by Medi-Cal, 10% by the VA and 15% are private pay, which can include long-term care insurance, and the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center’s respite care program.
Transportation to the center is included in the daily rate and provided by Elderday’s sister program Lift Line, for anyone who needs it. Everyone is advised about transportation by social workers at the time of their initial inquiry or before enrollment.
New Activities
Since the pandemic emergency has ended, Elderday has restarted all activities, including chair exercises, sing-alongs, and visiting performers. The Majel Jordan Room features a new stage, a memorable space where entertainers can brighten anyone’s day.
There is a new stroke support group, led by a registered nurse, some new art projects, and a new Tai Chi instructor, Iro Ciesiolkiewicz, who leads twice-weekly classes.
With this bigger space, volunteers in Watsonville are welcome to offer activities such as art, exercise, entertainment, and so on.
Program director Lois Sones will mark 10 years in December — an exciting milestone. She is co-owner and proprietor of Sones Cellars, with her husband, Michael.
There are 21 staff, which includes nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists and aides, activities coordinator, program assistants, and administrative staff.
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Top Photo: Elderday Program Director Lois Sones dedicated the new center’s main room to Elderday founder Majel Jordan (right), a pioneer in the adult day health care industry throughout California.