One Site for Seniors, Sandpoint

Weary caregivers, help is on the way! On Site for Seniors and Sandpoint Senior Center (SASI) are collaborating in a special effort to reopen DayBreak Adult Day Center. On Site is a faith-based nonprofit based in Coeur d’ Alene that operates Bennett House Adult Day Center. Founded in 2008 by Dr. Susan Melchiore and Lynda Arnold, NP, On Site started by providing medical house calls to housebound seniors. The expansion to adult respite care was a natural fit for their services, so they were excited to hear about the DayBreak Center in Sandpoint.

"Over the past several months, SASI has accomplished a wonderful remodel of the facility, creating a fresh and home-like setting at the DayBreak site. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to work alongside the Sandpoint Area Senior Center in serving this community,” says Dr. Melchiore. The type of care provided by day centers is considered an “essential service,” so On Site hopes to reopen the center by February 2021 with special measures in place to keep guests healthy.

For adults needing full-time care at home, respite care can be a breath of fresh air for them and their caregivers. “Guests at our day centers get to enjoy relationships that we often take for granted” says Lynda Arnold. “They get a place to ‘be themselves’ with friends, get some exercise, play games and   enjoy music and activities together, while the caregiver gets a chance to relax and refresh.”

The centers provide relationships that can be life changing. One guest that came to the adult day center in Coeur d’ Alene had suffered a stroke and would not speak when he first started coming. His wife was delighted to see him begin talking again, participating in activities, and enjoying new relationships with other guests and staff. Caregivers are also deeply affected by the responsibility of 24-hour care for their loved one, leading to stress and caregiver burn-out. Care at the day center can help caregivers keep their loved one at home longer and stay healthier themselves.

Elders that are unable to stay at home alone for medical, physical, or emotional reasons may qualify for care at the day center. Funding for care is often covered by VA and Area Agency on Aging assistance.

On Site for Seniors, Sandpoint needs volunteers and part-time staff. To make a difference in someone’s life at On Site for Seniors, call 208-967-4771.

We are looking for talented individuals looking to make a difference for older adults in our community:

Volunteer—call 208-967-4771