Since 1986, MountainCare Adult Day Services has provided social, medical, and caregiver support to older adults in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Supporting all stages of aging, Adult Day Care is offered at two locations, and Mountain Explorers, a field-trip style service, is offered to adults in Buncombe County. 

People often initially join MountainCare’s programs to become a part of the social community, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Williams. Retirees relocating from other communities and looking for social connections join programs like Mountain Explorers to participate in activities and make new friends. Others join MountainCare’s programs in an effort to receive support as they age in place.

“Some people want to age in community, never wanting to go to a nursing home or to a skilled care facility,” Williams said. “There is a nurse on site for our Adult Day programs that performs blood pressure checks, helps with medications, and things like that, and there are people in both of our programs receiving hospice care. One participant who has been with us for 20 years had a stroke. We were already her community, and we are also the ones providing much of her support.”

Currently, there are about 100 families enrolled at MountainCare’s programs in Buncombe County, and about 20 or so who visit per day in Henderson County. Programs maintain an enrollment model to ensure proper staffing, adequate supplies, and activity planning. 

Depending on the desire and the need of the individual, participants can join from one to five days each week. For those experiencing cognitive issues, research shows attending programs at least twice weekly helps them remain familiar with the program, the staff, and the facility. There are no specific qualifications or referrals required, though each participant comes for an orientation day to determine if the programs and facility may be a good fit.

“It’s rare that we would be unable to support someone,” Williams said. “We do what we can to make it an environment that works for them. We want to make sure there is a reason people want to come to us and have an enjoyable experience while they are here.”

The staff and volunteers at MountainCare enjoy quality relationships with program participants. They are able to share their talents and hobbies in groups, and enjoy the activities and trips along with the group.

“A group recently visited Lake James for a boat ride,” Williams said. “The team members were able to enjoy being able to go outside and get on a boat, while seeing the smiles and the pleasure experienced by these people who haven’t been on a boat in years. They really get to spend quality time with these people while supporting them as they age.”

MountainCare also offers support to the caregivers of aging adults. According to Williams, offering respite and a network to caregivers is just as important as supporting the aging individuals.

“It can be a huge learning curve to determine how to support someone who is experiencing something like cognitive or physical issues,” Williams said. “A lot of it is hearing the journey of others, learning tricks, and just knowing you’re not alone and there are people here to help. We try to make that journey as easy as possible for these caregivers.”

MountainCare’s nonprofit status helps support the cost of enrollment. Approximately 47% of the cost is covered through private pay, and the remainder comes from funding sources like block grant funding through the Older Americans Act or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Staff help families recognize different types of financial aid that may be available to them, and there is also an endowment that helps fund scholarships for those who may not receive aid from other sources.

“It’s expensive to age in our community, and it’s expensive to age in our country,” Williams said. “Costs can easily reach $10,000 or more each month for assisted living facilities, but these programs can provide support without having to resort to those kinds of costs. Luckily, there is lots of financial assistance to make our programs affordable for people who need this service. We try to meet the family where they are and support them where they are.”

MountainCare offers programs, support, and care for older adults and their caregivers in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Learn more at MountainCareServices.org.