Celebrating 50 Years of Adult Day Services: A Legacy of Care, Compassion, and Community
This year, Senior Services is thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our adult day services program! Since 1975, we have been at the forefront of providing crucial support to older adults and their families in Forsyth County, particularly people living with frailty and memory loss. What started as a small initiative has evolved into the vibrant, comprehensive services offered at the award-winning Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center today.
A Journey of Growth and Adaptation
In 1975, there was a growing recognition of the need for weekday support programs for older adults, particularly for people living with memory loss. In response to this need, Senior Services, then known as Creative Life Centers, established the first adult day program in Forsyth County.
Over the decades, our adult day services program has continuously evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of individuals and families facing the challenges that come with memory loss and frailty. From its small beginnings with participant attendance in the teens, the program has blossomed into an essential resource that offers, cutting-edge personalized care to hundreds of individuals living with dementia and frailty, as well as respite (a break from caregiving) to their families each year.
As we look back on the last five decades, we are reminded of the enduring commitment to increasing understanding, care, and generosity in serving older adults living with memory loss. As we flip through the many boxes and folders filled with historical clippings, documents, and photos that chronicle the journey of the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, we see a history of dedication and service, one that has touched countless lives and continues to do so today.
The Impact of Adult Day Services, Then…
Research conducted during the planning stages of our original Adult Day Center revealed the profound impact such services would have. At the time, 47% of adult day care participants would have been forced to enter group care, such as nursing homes, immediately if these programs had not existed. For many, this would have meant a loss of independence, dignity, and social connection.
Moreover, 44% of participants lived with family members whose ability to work, run errands, maintain a household, and care for loved ones would have been severely compromised without access to a day center. Many caregivers, often family members, faced overwhelming challenges balancing their own lives while ensuring the safety and well-being of their loved ones. Our Adult Day Services provided critical relief, allowing caregivers to maintain their roles outside of caregiving while ensuring their loved ones were receiving the attention and care they needed.
Additionally, 40% of participants lived alone but needed supportive services to maintain independence and avoid social isolation. Without a day center, these individuals would have faced diminished quality of life, limited physical activity, and little to no social engagement. Our adult day services were, and continue to be, a lifeline for those who would otherwise be at risk of becoming isolated and disconnected from the world around them.
…And Now, Looking to the Future
As Forsyth County continues to grow and age, the need for specialized, high-quality care for older adults with dementia and other forms of memory loss and or/frailty becomes even more urgent. Senior Services remains committed to meeting this need through the Williams Adult Day Center, and we are excited for the next 50 years of service.
Throughout 2025, we will celebrate this milestone year with events, activities, and opportunities for community involvement. We invite you to join us on this journey, to reflect on where we started, and to look forward to the future of care and service. Stay tuned for more information about these exciting celebrations!
For more about the history of the Williams Adult Day Center and how we’ve grown, check out our ongoing blog series here.
We are grateful to all of the families, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and supporters who have made the past 50 years possible. Here’s to many more years of service, compassion, and community!
The mission continues.
Want to learn more about the Williams Adult Day Center?