Daytime care for adults throughout Northeast Ohio
Co-owners and husband and wife, John and Annette Saeger, opened the first Gilcrest Center in Doylestown in 2007. The center for daytime adult care was the brainchild of Dr. Philip Gilcrest.
"Dr. Gilcrest was the only doctor in Doylestown and a very good friend of our family," Annette Saeger said.
Gilcrest had an idea for creating an adult daycare center and shared his idea with the Saegers. It proved to be a good fit for the couple. Saeger had previously owned a child daycare center and wanted to serve the community.
The doctor didn't want any financial responsibility; he just wanted to see someone run with his idea.
"As they say," Saeger said, "build it, and they will come. We got it built."
And come they did, from counties all over the area: Stark, Summit, Medina, Wayne, Portage, Cuyahoga, Ashland and Holmes.
Open to everyone, everywhere, they are hoping to include Tuscarawas County clients as well. "We have picked up people from Cleveland and brought them to Doylestown," Saeger said.
The decision to expand to Wooster came about when the Saegers realized they had 18 clients from the Wooster area making the trek to Doylestown. Located at 2375 Benden Drive, the new Wooster location opened its doors in May of this year.
"That 18 clients has already grown to over 60," said Melanie Witner, intake coordinator.
Gilcrest provides a wide range of services and activities at their center. A large social area is the setting for the breakfast, lunch and snack served every one of the six days each week they are open. Hours are 7 a.m. through 4 p.m.
Available activities are as diverse as the clientele. A craft room includes a drafting table for anyone who may be interested in working with blueprints or any other design projects.
The library contains a large collection of books with room for a few more. Donations are welcome. There also are computers available. Staff members often help clients with computer skills.
A "theater" contains easy chairs and a super-sized TV screen along with a popcorn machine for movie showings. A prayer room offers a place for quiet contemplation. There is a fireplace, a game table, an outdoor area and more.
In addition to on-site activities, field trips and special events are often on the agenda. Though these trips are an additional cost, no one is ever turned away from participation due to inability to pay. Past excursions have included trips to Amish country, a fishing expedition, riding the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad and Ramseyer Farms.
"A couple of weeks ago we ordered in Chinese food," Witner said. "We've gone to the Maps Museum in Canton, to Barberton's Magical Theater Company. We bring people in from the community to do things, and we have spa days."
Gilcrest Center offers more practical assistance as well. "We do showering and helping with toileting needs," Witner said. "There is an RN on staff and LPN."
Sound to good to be affordable? Gilcrest accepts private-pay clients and also walks clients and their families through any process available to receive assistance to cover the costs of care.
Transportation services are another branch of assistance available to the community. "We have 26 vans, and 10 of them accommodate wheelchairs," Saeger said.
They provide client transport to and from the center as well as offering rides to medical appointments.
"All our drivers are certified and can provide 'through the door' services," Saeger said.
She explained that drivers are able to bring a client home, take them inside, help them get settled in their easy chair and bring them a cup of tea before leaving.
Witner shared an anecdote of Saeger going well beyond the call of duty. A client came in with a wheelchair that did not provide adequate head support. "Annette bought him a new wheelchair," Witner said.
Saeger shrugged and smiled. "He needed it," she said.
One of the clients, Jack Craig, summed up his feelings about coming to the center. "I love it," he said.
Craig's wife Jane said, "He is much brighter now that I've brought him here. When he was at home, all he wanted to do was sleep. Now when I pick him up, he's happy. There are people here who can keep him entertained and moving and keep him enthused to be alive. It's worth everything."
For more information about Gilcrest Center in Doylestown or Wooster, email Witner at Intake@GilcrestCenter.com or call 330-601-0363.
"We can always use volunteers," Witner said.
Anyone with a particular skill or talent to share or simply a desire to interact with the clients is invited to get in touch.