Salvation Army celebrates the remodeling of its adult day care center in Henderson

As the director of the Henderson Adult Day Health Care for the Salvation Army, Bill Sampson sees firsthand how some adults with disabilities and seniors who require around-the-clock care need a safe place to go.

He also sees the relief on their loved ones' faces because there is such a place. The Henderson Salvation Army, 830 E. Lake Mead Parkway, offers care for people who need supervision 24/7 because of mental illness, dementia or Alzheimer's disease from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center recently celebrated the completion of an eight-month remodeling project.

Sampson thinks of one story in particular as an example of why the facility is important.

"We have one case where the guy drops his wife off every day then goes to work a construction job," Sampson said. "He picks her back up - lovingly - every evening after a long day. He takes her home, he bathes her, he feeds her. And the cycle repeats every day. He does this even if she doesn't recognize him."

The husband, Sampson said, gladly takes care of his wife. But the only way he can do that is through the services of the adult day care.

"Some do it part time while they run to the bank or store," Sampson said. "Some just use it Wednesdays and Fridays. But they need it."

The center has a capacity of 49.

"And that's 49 people at one given time," Sampson said.

People are divided into programs. The Star Program has two groups: one for basic independent living and one where people can practice communication and social skills.

Equipped with activities facilitators and registered nurses, the center offers daily social, recreation and health activities ranging from bingo to dances.

After many years of operation, the center hosted a ribbon-cutting Oct. 13 to celebrate its remodeling.

"This was its first face-lift in years," said Maj. William Cobb, the officer in charge of the Henderson center.

The building had been around since the early '70s, with the adult day care opening in 1986.

Renovations began Feb. 15 after the center received a $550,000 donation from the estate of Mary Roberts, a former Henderson businesswoman and Planning Commission member. Roberts' estate also gave funds to Opportunity Village and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.

According to Cobb, the donation specified that it was to be used toward the adult day care center. The project cost about $750,000, and the center stayed open during the renovations.

"(Roberts' estate) paid the majority of the project," Cobb said.

The remainder was paid through other donations.

During the renovations, the building was updated and the kitchen was expanded. The center gets reimbursements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help provide food.

One of the biggest additions Sampson is happy about is an employee break room.

"They need to be able to have their own place to go," Sampson said.

Sampson also said the center is starting a garden, which will provide another activity for some of the people. The center will be able to use the food the garden yields.

The center also serves as a food bank and offers showers for the homeless and other emergency services.

For more information, visit usw.salvationarmy.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.