After 15 years, One Site for Seniors says farewell
Board member Sandy Abrams said she was getting misty-eyed Friday as One Site for Seniors held a farewell party. After 15 years for providing adult day care services, the site has had to close its doors while trying to find a new financial model to support care.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Jackie Montgomery ,Laurie Montgomery and Santa post for a photo at the One Site for Seniors at a Christmas event.
Laurie Montgomery and her daughter, Jackie Montgomery, pose at a One Site for Seniors homecoming dance at One Site for Seniors. Jackie said the program stopped her from being isolated and cut off from the rest of the world as a caregiver and gave her mom social activities to look forward to each week.
COEUR d’ALENE — It was a hard farewell Friday at the One Site for Seniors building as guests, staff and extended “family members” of the agency faced an uncertain future of when they’ll all be in the same room again.
The faith-based nonprofit provided a day center for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia so their caretakers could take a break. It shuttered its doors to resolve financial issues.
Rhonda Story said she hopes this won’t be the last day for the agency, but operations will be paused for now.
“We're standing solo right now which makes it very difficult with the overhead we have daily to run the center,” Story said.
After dealing with the cost of their lease, staff, workers' compensation and liability insurance payment, Story said it became a matter where “you can’t make payroll when you don’t have it.”
“This is a heartbreaking transition for me. We don’t want to go away, this is a labor of love for me, these people need us,” Story said.
Kristine Rowe made a point of being present even though her mother no longer attends the adult day program.
The support and personal connection One Site offered to their family isn’t something she wants to forget. When her mother first was given a diagnosis for memory loss issues, she thought she could do everything for her, but burnout set in.
With tears in her eyes, Rowe recounted how One Site for Seniors was there to give her a break and give her mother a place to belong.
“I felt like I was letting my mother down and I was letting myself down,” Rowe said. “I’ll be forever thankful of this place whether it’s open or not.”
Jackie Montgomery said One Site for Seniors had changed quite a lot for her family.
Before, Jackie felt isolated and battled loneliness and depression while caring for her mother, Laurie, with dementia. Friends stopped inviting her out much and she felt hopeless about the future.
While One Site for Seniors was open, once a week, Laurie had a comfortable place to go while Jackie was at work.
“Now on Monday, she is ready for a break and be out of the house. She enjoys listening to the music and has found a favorite chair,” Jackie said.
Board member Sandy Abrams commended the caregivers for the energy they put into making sure their loved ones are supported and said that the board is committed to finding a new ministry model that is more financially stable.
“It’s a bittersweet cake; it’s a bittersweet time,” Abrams said.
Jackie Montgomery ,Laurie Montgomery and Santa post for a photo at the One Site for Seniors at a Christmas event.
Laurie Montgomery and her daughter, Jackie Montgomery, pose at a One Site for Seniors homecoming dance at One Site for Seniors. Jackie said the program stopped her from being isolated and cut off from the rest of the world as a caregiver and gave her mom social activities to look forward to each week.