The Waterford on the Bay

Palm Gardens Adult Day Health Care Center is housed in a red brick building attached to Palm Beach Home for Adults, an assisted living facility. The lawn and concrete patio lie on the edge of Sheepshead Bay. Tree-shaded benches allow participants to savor the view even on hot days. Inside, the brightly lit dining and activity room also boasts water views. Beige and green wallpaper creates a calming backdrop. A projection TV and piano sit among the furnishings. Staff checks participants’ vital signs and weight regularly. The medical suite includes therapy and exam rooms in addition to a waiting area.Participants and staff interacted happily on our visit. The long list of activities includes karaoke, movie-viewing, reminiscing, Jewish and Catholic services, exercise, computer classes and watercolor painting. Visiting singers and musicians perform once a week and monthly lectures are given by health care professionals such as psychologists, nurses, social workers and nutritionists. Staff members assist with the activities of daily living on beauty day—a favorite of participants, who eagerly anticipate getting manicures! Another popular theme is international day, which focuses on a given country; participants then enjoy a lunch spread with offerings from the country of the day while viewing informational videos about the area. Participants had a ball during a recent tour of a chocolate factory in Brooklyn. Many participants are ethnic Russian; the program offers English language classes and the staff brings in books written in both Russian and English to help these participants acclimate.