Sedona Sunrise Center for Adults

[Watch Video Below]

by Carl Jackson

SEDONA, AZ (January 12, 2010) - In a community where the median age is 50, one would think that adult day care facilities serving Sedona, Arizona would fill an obvious need, and be as plentiful as its coffee shops.  Not so.

In Sedona, the newly opened Sedona Sunrise Center for Adults located at the Sedona United Methodist Church at 110 Indian Cliffs Road is the only licensed adult day care facility in the Sedona-Verde Valley, according Linda Yee, President of the Board of Directors for the facility.

The reality is that 'obvious' is never 'easy' and it takes a special person with the vision, energy, desire, and qualifications to make something happen.  For the Sedona Sunrise Center, that person is Linda Yee, a long time resident of Sedona (now retired) and a registered nurse caring for her 93 year old mother, Mary. 

Linda credits her Board of Directors: Roene Cammack, Vice President; Janine Swent RN (ret), Secretary; Cynthia Holcombe, Treasurer; and David Barron, Larry Dreyfuss, Jane McGraw, Jeanne Imler, and Linda Nelson; as well as dedicated volunteers for helping make Sedona Sunrise a reality.

Operating as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and licensed by the State of Arizona Department of Health Services, the mission of Sedona Sunrise is "To enrich the lives of elders, adults with disabilities, and their families, by offering meaningful activities and supportive services in a safe, compassionate environment."

Sedona Sunrise is an adult day care facility that fills the gap between an assisted living facility like Sedona Winds and a community center for more independent seniors (or those with dedicated caregivers) like the Sedona Community Center.  Linda said that her research indicates that seniors want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, so the option of adult day services allows seniors the opportunity to spend the day in the Center and then sleep in their own beds at home at night.

The facility is licensed to accommodate up to 20 seniors and costs just $75 per day, or $45 for 1/2 day. 

Said Linda, "We have to charge because Medicare does not cover adult day services, unfortunately, yet...[$75] might initially sound like a lot but you when consider that you have to pay someone to come to your house at $15-$20 an hour, you can spend twice as much as $75 a day for a caregiver to come in."

The Center offers seniors with health issues a place to go each day where they can socialize with others, play games, have lunch, participate in arts and crafts, or just sit and read in one of the large, comfortable reclining chairs in the main Gathering Room.  Importantly, a registered nurse is on the premises to provide health monitoring and to administer medication, as needed.

That nurse has mainly been Linda.  "I'm supposed to be retired," she said, with a twinkle in her eye that belied a deeper feeling of pride she says she feels at having helped get the Center off the ground and make a difference for seniors in the community, including her mother.

Sedona Sunrise focuses on helping seniors overcome feelings of loneliness, boredom, and helplessness.

One of the Center's activities is called "Reminiscing." According to Nancy Ryba, Director of Sedona Sunrise, "Reminiscing" involves helping seniors recall enjoyable memories from their past which makes them feel happier and more engaged.

One of the Center's biggest challenge is raising money.  Although grants are available and donations are coming in, because the facility just opened in November 2009, it currently only serves 3 seniors and has to support a staff, pay rent, and provide meals.  Linda said that the Center also just purchased a new handicap equipped van that can pick up seniors at their home.

The community is beginning to take notice and realize the importance of helping Sedona Sunrise grow and prosper.

Most recently, community members volunteered their time to put together a local talent competition, not unlike American Idol, called Sedona Sunrise Superstar to benefit the Sedona Sunrise Center.  Linda says the idea was the brainchild of Cynthia Holcombe, Treasurer who is a singer herself.

Emceed by Sedona Film Festival Director, Patrick Schweiss, and judged by local entertainers Jeanie Carroll, Jim Buchanan, Shondra Jepperson, and Sammy Davis, the goal of Sedona Sunrise Superstar is to sell tickets to a series of vocal local talent auditions that will pick a final superstar on January 27, 2010.  Linda says the final superstar will be featured at the next Sedona Community Fair and other events throughout the year.

Tickets are $10 and the competition to pick the Top Five finalists will be held on January 20th.  The competitions will take place at the Sedona Creative Life Center located at 333 Schnebly Hill Rd., Sedona.  Tickets can be purchased at Studio Live, Rycus Corners, Bashas', or the local branch of the Desert Hills Bank.  Call Cindy at (928) 300-9860 or Roene at (928) 282-9432 for more info.

Related article: Linda Yee: Remembering the Japanese American Internment of WWII