Senior Voice -

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI) announces the opening of WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services at their Mid-Valley Senior Center location in Houston. WASI's mission is to enable seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. In keeping with that mission, WASI continues to develop programs that help seniors stay independent and living at home.

As the number of seniors continues to increase dramatically in the Mat-Su Valley, families are often faced with exploring how to seek out the much-needed care and support for a frail relative. An often-overlooked family support program is adult day services. Adult day programs offer an important and valuable service to our local community, and they are a creative alternative to traditional long-term care placement. Adult day services provide needed support to family caregivers and can help to lessen health care costs.

WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services can provide clients with leisure activities, socialization opportunities and outings. For many hard-working at home caregivers, adult day programs offer much needed respite and access to additional support systems and resources. WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services can help improve your loved one's overall quality of life.

WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services currently accepts Medicaid Waiver and self-pay clients. Currently, WASI is waiting for approval from TriWest Community Care Network for veteran billing. We'll keep you posted once TriWest comes online.

The Adult Day Program offers a structured and comprehensive non-clinical, non-residential program, which provides a variety of health, social and supportive services in a protective setting to adults who are physically frail or face the challenges of Alzheimer's, dementia, a developmental disability, or brain trauma. Healthy snacks are offered and exercise programs are available. Loved ones can receive assistance with adult daily living, participate in arts and crafts, music, activities, games, and much more. Transportation to and from the program is available.

In addition, WASI provides other services at their Mid Valley Senior Center, Houston location. Lunch is available to seniors age 60 and older, from 11:30 a.m.. to 12:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $6 for seniors. If under the age of 60, the price is $10. There are daily exercise classes like Bingocize, Strong Seniors, Tai Chi classes and other activities like Puzzle Club and trivia. The center has a library, notary public, free wifi and computer lab, low vision magnification equipment, and in the summer time there are garden planters available.

Mid-Valley Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and see all the great things available to the senior community.

For more information call 907-416-5670, email wasiads@alaskaseniors.com, or check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/midvalleyseniorcenter.

Melissa Sonnek is the Mid-Valley ADS program manager for Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.