The Rochester High School repurposing committee is asking older adults, caregivers, and care recipients to complete a survey, which will provide valuable information regarding the feasibility of a Quintown adult day center that would serve all residents of Granville, Hancock, Rochester, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield.
The establishment of a local adult day center (ADC) in the former Rochester High School (RHS) building is part of the five-component multi-facility proposal for repurposing the building that is currently undergoing a feasibility study by Fairweather Consultants. The proposal additionally includes an arts and learning center, makerspace, childcare center, and business office spaces.
Adult day centers are an identified regional need, intensified during the pandemic and amplified to demographic information. ADCs support the health, nutritional, and social needs of older vulnerable adults in a group setting, with professionally certified staff. During the pandemic most ADCs closed; many closed permanently.
The repurposing committee notes that the benefit of locating an ADC under the same roof as an art and learning center and makerspace is a unique feature to this project. Music, performance, and movement are effectively utilized in therapies to benefit people with cognitive impairment and physical disabilities.
Access to adult education classes and workshop space would benefit a broad range of older adults, including primary caregivers of care recipients participating in adult day while the caregiver pursues their own interests in the same facility.
The committee asks those participating to complete the survey by March 15, which is available on paper at the Rochester Town Office or at this online link: forms.gle/PEpPajFatDVCip2X6.
Those interested in participating can also send an email to RochesterHSproject@gmail.com to request a survey.