Recently completed renovations to TRC’s Recreation Center on Harris Avenue in Jamestown have resulted in improved services to seniors with developmental disabilities.

In October, work was finished on renovations to the former swimming pool area at the Recreation Center. The space has been converted into a second programming room and a therapy room. The former locker room areas have been revamped to provide more restroom accommodations with improved privacy. New tables and chairs, flooring, ceilings, and countertops have give the place a fresh look, and everyone is appreciative.

The Rec Center is home to TRC’s Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program, which provides individualized services to older persons with developmental disabilities as an alternative to TRC’s Day Treatment and Work Center programs. Senior Adult Day Hab opened in 1993, and since that time had been certified to serve 23 people.

While the program has been a success, there were two drawbacks. Space was one issue – there had been just one programming room. But the bigger problem was the fact that program participants needing therapeutic services had to be transported to TRC’s Diagnostic & Treatment Clinic on Jones & Gifford Avenue. In addition to being inconvenient for seniors and staff, transporting program participants to and from the Clinic disrupted the day and limited the amount of time seniors were able to participate in the program.

With the new therapy room at the Rec Center, seniors can receive occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy on site – something that is particularly attractive with winter approaching.

“Now they won’t have to go out in the cold and snow to get their services,” said Debbie Rapp, the program Supervisor. She added that when seniors had to go to the Jones & Gifford Avenue Clinic, they spent an hour there on average. Having the therapeutic services provided on site at the Rec Center will make the transition from Day Hab Program to therapy and back again more seamless.

With two large programming rooms, there now are greater opportunities for seniors, who no longer have to be located in one room. The renovations also created storage space, which freed up some of the office areas to be used for even more programming. Seniors now can be divided into smaller interest groups, Debbie said.

The increased programming space has enabled the Senior Day Hab Program to accommodate up to 30 people a day, giving more people an opportunity to participate in the program.

Bathroom space had been an issue prior to the renovations. Many of the program participants use wheelchairs, and access to the restrooms was limited. Renovations to the locker rooms have created open space in the bathrooms that leave plenty of room to maneuver.

There are a shower and a changing table, with curtains that give people their privacy in the event someone needs to use the toilet while someone else is showering or changing clothes.

Other improvements have included new chairs and adjustable tables, which come in handy for people in wheelchairs. Widened doorways make it easier for people in wheelchairs to move about.

One noticeable change since the renovations is the difference in people’s demeanor. “They feel more relaxed and calm. People aren’t as anxious,” Debbie said. “People who weren’t really vocal before are being more sociable.”

Debbie and her staff praised E.E. Austin & Son, the construction firm that performed the work. They said workers were courteous and took time to answer program participants’ questions about the project, which was undertaken without any interruptions to the daily programming.

Debbie, her staff and the seniors invite people to come and tour the renovated facility. If interested, please call 661-4720.