SUMMIT — With a goal of keeping minds and bodies as active and able as possible, the staff at Active Day of Ashland provide a practically invaluable service to local families.

“We are here for any family who has a loved one who requires assistance — that would prevent the family members from working or even running errands,” said Sally Dyer, who is a registered nurse and director of Active Day of Ashland, located next to Giovanni’s in Summit.

“And, to keep them out of the nursing homes,” Dyer added, emphasizing their ambition to allow people with conditions including Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory problems as well as those recovering from problems including strokes and heart attacks, or those who are otherwise homebound and in need of social stimulation, to remain active in their own communities and homes. “Whatever we can do for the families is what we try to do.”

Vicki Botkins, whose husband Richard is an Active Day client dealing with Alzheimer’s, said she believes there are many families in the area who could benefit from the services and care offered but are unaware of the program.

“The community is so fortunate to have this facility out on (U.S.) 60,” Botkins said, explaining the center has allowed her to continue working while providing her husband with mental stimulation.

“It makes my mind at ease knowing he is there and being cared for in all the ways he is being cared for. It lets us keep him in our home and out of a nursing home,” Botkins said, adding, “All of the girls that work out there just go above and beyond.”

Dyer and other staff members say there has been some confusion about their operations following the recent closing of FIVCO’s adult day care program and are trying to let people know they are still up and running, with room for even more clients.

“We have 42 people enrolled and capacity for 49 people,” Dyer said. “But, we have capacity beyond those seven available. Many of our clients generally come five days a week, but we also operate as a respite service.”

The respite aspect of the facility provides family members with opportunities and time for tasks which would not be possible while serving as a full-time caregiver, she explained.

“Sometimes all the family member needs is a few hours of uninterrupted sleep,” Dyer said. “Or they may want to go out and have lunch with friends, run errands, go to a doctor. Sometimes it is just a matter of getting away for a little bit.”

The building is divided to serve elderly clients as well as younger clients who are typically dealing with different forms of developmental disabilities. The group rooms are furnished with comfortable leather recliners and sofas and a variety of games and puzzles.

“We try to make it as homey and comfortable as we can, and not institutional,” Dyer said.

Each client’s medical needs are also tended to, with prescribed medications and other physician orders closely monitored and dispensed to each client. The space also has shower and bath facilities for clients who need assistance with personal hygiene, and there are spare clothes for everyone, along with laundry machines in case of an accident.

Beyond basic care, the center also provides clients a chance to improve or delay loss of their ability to understand and communicate with others regarding their daily lives and feelings, and complete any tasks which are part of their daily life. Using games and puzzles as well as exercise, the staff members also work to help clients with their motor skills and manual dexterity.

The games on the activity schedule include seated volleyball and a variation they call “Cane Ball” allowing clients to use their canes to manipulate the ball to the goal. A transportation team makes sure each client has a ride to and from the facility safely and comfortably with handicap-access vans.

Services for most of the center’s clients are paid for through Medicaid and the Veteran’s Administration, Dyer said, while others pay a private-pay rate of $63 per day.

“Financially this is far less costly for the government than extended care,” Dyer said, quickly adding local legislators including State Sen. Walter Blevins and State Rep. Rocky Adkins have maintained close connections to the center. Staff members, from those who drive the vans to the nurses aides and others, “are truly wonderful people,” Dyer noted.

For more information about Active Day of Ashland, which is one of 22 Active Day centers in Kentucky, call (606) 928-8119. Dyer said anyone is also welcome to visit the facility and they offer potential clients a free one-day visit to help decide if the place is a good match for their needs.