Bon Homie Adult Day Center meets community needs
Center marks 25 years of caring for adults
“We are a place that families know when they drop their individual off that they are cared for — emotionally as well as physically.” — Ann Short, owner/operator, Bon Homie Adult Day Center
LIMERICK » A couple of months after graduating from York College of Pennsylvania in 1992, Ann Short (Poot) launched Bon Homie Adult Day Center in Limerick.
Short graduated with a degree in Long Term Care Administration, and knew that adult day services were going to be in demand. She also had a vision. “I did several internships in nursing homes and knew that I didn’t want to work in a nursing home. I wanted to do things my way and I was really motivated by the concept of offering an alternative for families to use instead of placing their loved ones in nursing homes prematurely,” said Short, who directs day to day operations of the center.
Fast forward 25 years to 2017: Bon Homie Adult Day Center, 470 N. Lewis Road is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
On Wednesday, Bon Homie held an open house to mark the occasion. Among the guests was state Rep. Tom Quigley (R-146th Dist.), who presented Short with a proclamation praising the facility for being a “compassionate and caring facility to assist families who have chosen to care for older or challenged family members at home.”
Bon Homie, co-owned by Short and her parents Ann and Bill Poot, was initially licensed to serve the aging population, but quickly become dual licensed to accommodate disabled adults.
Bon Homie offers half- and full-day programs that include activities and socialization for adults aged 18 and up — providing an alternative to institutionalized care.
Short said Bon Homie is the right fit for anyone that “cannot be left at home alone for extended periods of time, that needs some support with personal care.”
“We are place that people can come and be themselves. So often you will hear someone with Alzheimer’s come in and breathe a sigh of relief. They can come in here and be themselves, the pressure is off — they can relax,” said Short.
“We are a place that families know when they drop their individual off that they are cared for — emotionally as well as physically.”
Short said Bon Homie had only been open a couple of months before families of young adults began to ask for services.
“We opened in November
(1992), and probably that summer I was approached about kids being home from school. I never realized how many disabled adults are out there,” she said.
Bon Homie offers a variety of programs and clubs including music, music therapy, exercise, crafts, yearbook, cooking, horticulture, woodworking and pen pal.
The center also offers a client talent show and a client prom, which is held in May.
“I feel like it’s our responsibility to keep updating what we’re doing, keeping them current on what’s going on,” Short said.
In June 2016, Bon Homie created the Better Days Foundation. Its purpose is to support a new program — the Shed Program at Bon Homie.
Through sponsorships and fundraising, Bon Homie has purchased a shed, which will be erected on the center’s property. The Shed Program will allow Bon Homie clients an outlet to sell crafts they create and to interact with the community, according to Karen Weglos, program director for the Better Days Foundation.
Currently, items made by clients are sold in the lobby of Bon Homie — available to family members, caregivers and the community.
According to Short, plans are for the Shed Program to operate a couple of hours a day, with some of the clients working there.
“It’s kind of a country store idea,” said Weglos. “It gives clients a sense of purpose and a good feeling where they can say, ‘I made this.’”
“Anything that is going into the shed to be sold is something that they made. The funds go back into the activity program,” Short added.
The building has been ordered, all township approvals have been received, the shed’s foundation is in place and the electricity and plumbing hookups made.
The shed is expected to be delivered by mid-November and according to Bill Poot, once it’s installed, shelving, fencing and ramps will be added.
Short said it’s possible the shed could be open by Thanksgiving — just in time for holiday crafts.
Bon Homie Adult Day Center has been in its current location on Lewis Road since 2001.
Standing in front of a timeline of Bon Homie’s — and her journey — Short said Wednesday that she has been looking back at how far they have come.
“Celebrating 25 years and all that we have accomplished and been a part of is very emotional,” she said. “It does get overwhelming at times but the difference that we can make in the services that we provide, and all the lives that we touch and that touch us is very emotional — and that is the motivation that keeps us going.”
Short admits there have been challenges — especially early on. But through it all, her vision and commitment have not wavered.
“I knew I would make it. I knew that we were offering a service to meet the community’s needs,” she said.
Bon Homie has a staff of 23.
“Everyone on staff ‘shows up’ and I couldn’t do this without every single member of the staff,” Short added.
Short’s parents remain involved in the business — Bill works as the business and property manager, while Ann serves as the accounts manager.
For more information about Bon Homie visit www.bonhomieadc.com or www.facebook.com/ Bon-Homie-Adult-Day-Services-581532901864043/