By Msgr. Noel C. Burtenshaw

When the words “day care” are mentioned, the vision of little children always comes to mind. However, there is a very good reason to apply the term day care to the elderly.

It is very much a reality, all over our cities.

Right across the street from the MARTA station on Tenth Street, centrally located between the Peachtrees in downtown Atlanta is the Tenth Street Senior Citizens Center. On any day between 8:30 and 1:30 there is a buzz of activity as seniors from the downtown area come together to enjoy their lives.

“Many come for the companionship,” said Paul Carpenter, director of the center. “They love to be together and to be of service to each other.”

However, they are not just a group of elderly together at Tenth Street, they create many things and actively encourage each other to be joyful in living. “It’s no crime to grow old,” they chorus together, “everybody is doing it.”

Tenth Street serves one hot meal to the 30 or so senior citizens who come there each day. “We have space for about 40,” says Carpenter, who is retired from the Army and is a parishioner at Sacred Heart in downtown Atlanta. “However, we get 30 now. They come to us from high rises and senior citizens homes. Usually they come from about a five-mile radius.”

Not only do they come to the center, but the center will send for them if they wish. A bus goes out each morning to collect them. It will return them after lunch.

The day at Tenth Street is filled with activity. “We are really well cared for,” says Paul Carpenter. “The members of the Symphony come, or the ballet comes and puts the guests through their paces. We have our auditorium where we can have activities and lots of other things going on.”

The center is a colorful place where activity is an everyday experience. They have their “country store,” their ceramic kiln and their floral designs – all visible evidence that those who come to the center are busy people who have found a new life for themselves in this day-care center.

“They have to be mobile, to be able to take care of themselves,” said Paul Carpenter, “and they have to be 60 years old. Anyone can come here if they fulfill those qualifications.” Tenth Street Senior Citizen’s Service is a busy place.

There is another form of day care for elderly. We found it in the Dunbar Community Center in West End Atlanta. It is called the Sunrise Day Care. It is for senior citizens over 56 years. It is located on Windor Street off Interstate 20. Sunrise is an exceptional place for seniors to come each day because it takes all, whether they are mobile or not.

“We get all kinds,” says Barbara Cameron, assistant director of the center. “Some come in wheelchairs, some are carried and we give them wheelchairs. It is a rehabilitation center because we watch out for their total well-being.”

The guests were gathered in one of the rooms having devotionals, singing joyfully and obviously happy to be together. It was just lunch time. As they started out for the dining room, one lady said, “Someone go in front of me so I can find my way.” Two of the ladies grabbed her hand leading this blind guest to her lunch.

Sunrise is open each day from 8:30 to 4 p.m. It serves three hot meals and has all kinds of activities for the guests.

“Mostly their families leave them here as they go to work,” said Ms. Cameron. “Others are from boarding houses or live alone. We are glad to have them. We have buses we send for them and we will deliver them back.”

While at the center they are into all kinds of activities. “We even have a teacher,” says Ms. Cameron, “who teaches basic skills and even reading and science. They love to learn.”

It is an amazing experience to see what the elderly are doing. They have dance class, ceramics, games and exercise.

“Oh, yes,” says Barbara Cameron, “even those in wheelchairs can exercise. We get their arms and hands going to keep them healthy.”

Diet is important. If a special diet is needed, a dietician is there to assist.

Outings are other activities of this daycare center. “We take the bus and even go for overnight stays,” says Barbara Cameron. “Then other times we go shopping or to the bank and be of assistance in whatever way we can. The motto we use is “kicks and fun for the not so young.’”

One activity all are preparing for is the Starlight Ball. “It is formal and they will just love dressing up,” remarks Ms. Cameron. “It will be at the ‘Sloppy’ Floyd skylight room with a meal and a band – an all senior citizen band.”

So the day care is there filling up the day of those who are elderly. Whether they are mobile or immobile, there is a place to go. The Tenth Street Center is an instrument of the United Way. Sunrise is financed by federal, state and city funds.

Barbara Cameron and Paul Carpenter watch as elderly human beings make themselves useful each day. And their usefulness becomes a service to each other. Barbara Cameron says, “We motivate. They do.”

As the day ends, they head back to their homes. But they are looking forward to the next day and their life filled with activities.

Day care is a new delight for these senior citizens.