The Day Center is a place where families and carers can bring their loved ones during working days knowing they are safe and happy.

Pina Ledwidge is a carer for her mother Liberata Lorreva and says the centre is a great facility for the elderly, especially for dementia patients and it give the carers some time to themselves.

“Her attitude and personality improves with every visit. On the days my Mum doesn’t attend she seems to sleep all day but after I have picked her up from the Center she will tell me all the little stories of the day,” Ms Ledwidge said.

Jean Clemson has been a member of the centre for about four years and says it is a great opportunity to talk to people she wouldn’t otherwise be friends with and relieves her from staying home alone.

Senior Support Worker, Daniella DeMartin, told a story of a how the program changed a lady’s life.

For this lady the simple task of helping the staff fold tea towels became a routine that inspired her to start getting up early in the morning and dressing in her good clothes ready for her day ‘at work’.

“The carers valued feedback we receive telling us they have also noticed a difference in their loved ones gives me goosebumps and I get so much pride from hearing that,” Ms DeMartin said.

Thanks to the Centre’s partnership with Intereach Transportation, a bus is provided for outings to the cinema, bowling, lawn bowls, trips to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory and Altina Wildlife Park.

The centre has reduced its closure over Christmas to a week in response to the high demand for the carers respite.

All referrals and information is given through the My Aged Care website or from the staff at Valmar Aged Centre Based Respite.