Always At Your Side Adult Day Care has welcomed two new faces to the staff, Niccole Liriano and Christopher Gonzalez. The center’s director, Alexandra Alonso, has worked to offer the elderly community of Miami Lakes and the surrounding areas, some patients coming from many cities away for a reliable, personalized and active center for physical, mental and social health. Along with the growth of the center has come the necessary expansion of staff to continue creating a positive and safe environment for the elderly.
“Adult day cares sometimes lack resources for activities and the elderly are still capable and willing to do many things when they come here. We want them to receive the full benefits of the center on a daily basis,” said Alonso.
Niccole Liriano, a student at University of Miami pursuing a master’s in public health, has joined the team as Site Coordinator which entails responsibilities relating to community outreach and education as well as working alongside case managers to assure that patients are receiving all necessary care in the center and at home, and working with families to help them meet qualifications for the Alliance of Aging Assistance. The program is the only one of its kind that completely covers the cost of adult care.
Christopher Gonzalez, a student with plans to pursue a master’s in pre-occupational therapy, is the center’s new Activities Coordinator which involves working one-on-one with the people at the center to make a cohesive, structured, and fun personalized activity plan for each person based on their physical abilities and their interests.
“We can get everyone together to do crafts or bingo but what I really wanted to do was find something engaging for each person here, then make a customized plan for them so they are more involved and invested in what they’re doing and that these are mentally and socially stimulating activities,” said Gonzalez.
The new staff, a stark contrast in age to the elderly attendees, was ideal for the flow of the center, according to Alonso.
“They immediately ask questions if Niccole or Chris aren’t here,” said Alonso. “Both Niccole and Chris are educated, patient and outgoing so they mesh very well with the people here at the center and they are missed when they’re not around.”
Liriano notes how some of the women want to take selfies with her.
The revamping and improvement of the center’s activities and site coordinating is just another step in the continuous awareness and effort made by Alonso and her staff to provide thoughtful, safe and active services for the elderly community that may otherwise go overlooked in a fast-paced world. The center, bustling with activity from painting to crafts, is more akin to a social club than an adult care facility and many of the attendees who are hesitant about visiting end up coming frequently.
For more information on Always At Your Side Adult Day Care Center in Miami Lakes, call 305-362-2202 or visit
www.alwaysatyoursideadc.com.