By David Murchland - Marshfield Now!
A local adult respite and day services center in Marshfield is working to expand awareness of its intergenerational caregiving model while continuing to serve adults with developmental disabilities, dementia and other care needs.
Companion Day Services, located across from Marshfield High School in the Tiny Tigers building, provides daytime care and social programming for adults 18 and older. The nonprofit organization offers flexible scheduling for families and caregivers seeking respite care or structured daytime activities for loved ones.
“We are an adult daycare respite center designed to meet the needs of developmentally disabled adults, elderly, people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, people who are lonely — just anybody over the age of 18 in need of any kind of respite service,” Director Bailey Jozwiak said during a recent interview on “Hub City Times Presents.”
The center opened March 19, 2007, and was developed around an intergenerational concept that combines adult day services with a child care program in the same facility. Participants regularly interact with children from Tiny Tigers daycare, creating opportunities for socialization across age groups.
According to board member Lois Swanson, the concept was uncommon when the center was established.
“There was only one place in the country that was doing the very same thing,” Swanson said. “That idea of mixing the generations so that the littles have a chance to have interactions with elders and the elders get a chance to have interaction with the littles — it’s a great program.”
The program currently serves an average of nine participants per day, with Wednesdays often reaching capacity. The facility can accommodate up to 16 participants at one time, depending on staffing levels and individual care needs.
Jozwiak said the center tailors activities to participants’ interests and abilities, including music, crafts, exercise, field trips and community outings.
“We really strive to provide adult care in a home-like setting,” Jozwiak said. “I really work hard to make sure that each person is seen and knows it.”
Swanson, whose son attends the program, said the variety of activities and consistency among staff members have made Companion Day Services valuable for her family.
“It’s not like there’s this revolving door of staff,” Swanson said. “People are very committed to the people, so we recognize them, they recognize us, and our son knows them.”
The center also partners with Marshfield High School through volunteer and career-readiness programs that allow students interested in caregiving professions to gain hands-on experience.
Companion Day Services operates Monday through Friday and charges $10 per hour, with some participants receiving assistance through programs such as IRIS or managed care organizations.
The organization is also seeking volunteers to assist with activities, music programs and participant socialization. Volunteers must complete a background check and TB test.
Families interested in services or volunteer opportunities can contact Companion Day Services at 715-384-2115 or visit the organization’s Facebook page and website for more information.