By Arden White | Staff Intern
Community Aging and Retirement Services celebrated its year anniversary in Plant City this summer. Known as CARES, the nonprofit organization has helped senior citizens since 1973 as an adult day care program. It started in Pasco County, but expanded into Hillsborough in 2013.
The Plant City facility is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1205 Waller St.
CARES offers snacks, breakfast and lunch for clients. It also provides a personalized plan of care, medication monitoring, health screenings and supervision.
“This helps both the elderly and the caregiver,” Brenda Martyniak, communications director of CARES, said. “When the caregiver needs to go to work, go shopping or just take a break, we’re there. I believe it really helps the families cope.”
Activities, from holiday parties to Florida Strawberry Festival crafts, are planned for each day to keep the participants busy and involved. They also enjoy gentle exercises and stretching, Wii games, trivia and computer lessons.
“It’s a very active environment,” Martyniak said. “Sometimes we bring entertainers, like singers, in to perform. We have a lot of therapy dogs come in, and we always invite the public to come take part in playing games with our clients.”
It’s not just the clients that enjoy their time at CARES.
“I love being involved in such a great program where I can interact with the elderly and help them with their activities,” Erna Saintilet Narcisse, assistant at the Plant City CARES location, said.
At all the CARES locations there is a full staff ready to attend to all the needs of the clients.
“My favorite thing is just getting to interact with the clients,” Ashley Triplett, manager of the Plant City CARES location, said.
Currently, the Plant City CARES location has approximately 10 regular clients, but has room for 30.
“I think CARES is definitely making their life better and making their day more meaningful,” Juliana Barbosa, an aid at the Plant City location, said. “I think it’s really important to let more people know that this is available in their area. Especially after seeing how many families we’ve helped just by them finding out about CARES.”
CARES is approved by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs and is a certified and licensed provider.
“Almost any participant is eligible for CARES,” Elizabeth Heynes, regional manager, said. “The big thing is funding. Some choose to have contracts through Veteran Affairs and some want to privately pay. However, for long-term care, it’s encouraged to go through the Department of Children and Families to obtain Medicaid.”
If one is considering having an elderly family member sign up, they must call the center or apply in person.
“If people have any questions I would really encourage them to either call our toll free number, or just check out our website,” Martyniak said.
You can contact CARES at 1 (888) 718-2110. Or go online at CaresFL.org.