Elders First Opens Adult Day Services Program The Daily News Journal

cgunn@dnj.com — by Chasity Gunn, 615-278-5109

Article published Dec 1, 2007

A hymnal rests atop a black keyboard, opened to "Where He Leads I'll
Go."

Earlier this month the staff of Elders First Adult Day Services was lead to
a classroom at New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane in
Murfreesboro.

Executive Director Tina O'Brien envisions that path leading to a plot of
land and a "state-of-the-art facility (that) gives caregivers all of the
services they need."

The nonprofit Elders First provides adult day services for seniors 55 and
older and who have dementia. It provides a social environment for the seniors
and helps relieve caregivers. Attendees participate in hands-on activities,
including board games, art, cognitive exercises and physical movement.

O'Brien has nearly 30 years experience working with the elderly. She oversaw
the adult day services program at St. Clair Street Center in Murfreesboro.

She founded Elders First in 2005 because she saw a need for the services on
a wider scale.

"I'm not doing it out of a sense of helping them but caring for
them," O'Brien said.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee awarded the Elders First a $500
grant this week. The money will be used to purchase nutritional snacks and
craft supplies.

Maxine Drake, who is a board member of the nonprofit, occasionally brings
her mother to Elders First. She is thankful the service exists.

"This gives her her own set of friends," Drake said. "For me,
it gives me assurance that she's in a place that I don't have to worry about
her during the day."

Elders First currently has room for eight additional participants.

Elders First Adult Day Services runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays
and Thursdays at New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane in
Murfreesboro. The cost is $35 for a full day and $20 for a half day. Payment
assistance is available. For details, call 615-542-4371 or e-mail eldersfirst@dtccom.net.