Southwest DayElders

Location: Southwest Senior Center, 3612 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN  55409

Days/Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.

Participants are: Adults age 55 and up who need support during the day or whose family needs relief from caregiving.

Fee: The cost of the Southwest DayElders program includes all activities, a hot nutritious lunch, snacks, and daily transportation to and from the program, as well as transportation for trips in the community.  Many participants meet the guidelines for financial assistance through state, county or health provider programs.  There is a sliding fee scale for private pay participants.

Contact:  Laura Campbell, Southwest DayElders Manager
Program Phone: 612-822-3194
Email: lcampbell@voamn.org

Description
The Volunteers of America of Minnesota Southwest DayElders program offers care and a variety of activities for older adults, age 55 or more, who typically have limitations of mobility, stamina and/or cognitive functioning.  Our program offers a warm, safe, environment to support the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of these older adults.

Participants may attend the DayElders program from one to five days a week, Monday through Friday, depending on their needs.  Each participant has an individual care plan and the DayElders staff work closely with each participant’s caregivers and our Caregiver Support Services to provide high quality care.

Because Southwest DayElders is located in the Southwest Center, the participants are able to take advantage of the Center’s many educational, health, cultural and social programs.

Daily DayElders events include:

  • Health monitoring
  • Physical and mental exercise
  • Current events discussions
  • Art and music activities
  • Healthy lunch and snacks
  • Informational programs

Special opportunities include:

  • Cultural programs
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Field trips
  • Diabetes Club
  • Access to social worker
Health Monitoring:

Health monitoring includes:

  • Weekly blood pressure and weight checks
  • Quarterly on-site consultation with a physical therapist
  • Reporting and consultation with participants’ health care providers, as needed
  • Monthly visits from a registered nurse

Physical and Mental Exercises:

Each day, individuals enrolled in the Southwest DayElders program participate in at least 30-minutes of physical exercise including strength training, dancing, stretching, walking and specialized exercises for participants with arthritis.  In addition, participants engage in daily brain-fitness exercises, including word games, memory games, logic challenges and current events discussions, to keep their brains active.  DayElders participants may take part in the Southwest Center’s annual Brain-a-thon, which challenges seniors to do brain healthy activities.