USD Magazine, Summer 2003

passed away in 1999, just days

center serves more than 20 senior citizens every day.

to incorporate an intergenera– tional program, and with a pre– school located next door to the new center, she knew it was meant to be.The preschoolers join the adults three times a week for an hour, to enjoy games, stories, puppet shows and activities. Holt hopes the kids will grow up with a greater appreciation for their elders. "The interaction is tremen– dous," Holt says."The adults don't want to feel like they've been dropped off to be babysat. As people get older they need to be given ways to feel they can help and still contribute." Holt designed the center's programs to alternate physical and cognitive activities. Days often begin with discussions of current events or news, followed by exercise or physical therapy. A half-dozen activities focused on games, fitness, music and

before her 97th birthday. The experience sparked an idea in Holt. Recognizing the need in her area, she took a giant leap of faith , ended her teaching career and founded the Poway Adult Day Health Care Center. She had little background in business, so her brother, an accountant, lent a hand with the financial side of the venture, and Holt soon found herself designing a 6,000-square-foot building in a renovated strip mall. After careful planning, the center opened on June 27, 2002, to just one client,Virginia, who still faithfully visits the center fi ve days a week. "She is our good luck charm," Ho lt says, laughing about the fi rst few weeks, when Virginia had a full staff all to herself. Holt's ambition was bigger than just a building and a program for

hospital network. The organiza– tion also agreed to give $5,000 this year and next year as "scholarship" money for those who cannot afford to attend the center, where fees run between $40 and $70 a day. Holt also is in the process of starting a nonprofit organization, "Friends of Adult Day Healthcare Centers," which will raise funds to further enhance the center. Her dedication to the center, and the ideal of maximizing the time and quality of people's lives, is summed up by a needlepoint pillow in the center's entryway, which reads: "Don't cou~t the years, _r:nake the years count."

learning continue throughout the day, with breaks for a catered lunch and an afternoon snack. The center now has 55 fami– lies enrolled. Some clients attend the center primarily for social– ization, but others need more assistance. Holt is prepared for anything with 12 full-time staff members, including a registered nurse, two certified nursing assistants, a licensed social work– er, and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Once a month, the center holds an informational support group with a speaker from Palomar Pomerado Behavioral Health Services, a senior health and assessment arm of a local

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- Liz Bieb/

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