Virginia Tech Adult Day Services

Blacksburg, Va. 

Virginia Tech Adult Day Services (VT ADS) began operations in 1992 with a dual purpose – to provide needed adult day services on a long-term basis and to offer intensive on-site learning opportunities for college students interested in geriatrics and dementia care. 18 older adults participate daily in the adult day program and 80 college students are trained annually.

VT ADS was awarded $8,000 in 2019 to help develop a program for older adults and their caregivers in the New River Valley (NRV) to deal with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which often progresses to dementia. About 3,100 people in the NRV currently experience MCS. The development of such an outreach program, with its early intervention, will allow older adults and their families and caregivers to incorporate lifestyle changes now that will benefit them as MCI progresses. In 2019, a grant of $13,034.00 will see the addition of a course to engage the brain.

One student who joined both the Memory Masterclass and Brain Engage courses was a widow who had recently retired. She was preparing to move to another state and was struggling with very stressful circumstances that were compounded by loneliness. During the course, she stated many times that she was very grateful to have somewhere to go each day that would give her a break from the stress of her circumstances. The other students in the course were very intentional about encouraging her and supporting her through a very difficult time. The programs not only educate students on brain health, but also build social capacity for older adults, who may be isolated and at risk of health decline due to stressful life circumstances.

To learn more about Virginia Tech Adult Day Services visit: https://ads.hdfs.vt.edu/