Creating family: a holistic milieu at a geriatric adult day center

Many older persons no longer have traditional "family members" to rely on and live isolated lives, with little or no contact with either family or community. In response to this profound need for family among isolated older adults, the Geriatric Adult Day Health Center at The Jewish Home and Hospital in the Bronx, New York, created a holistic milieu that involves clients in their care and facilitates healing and growth in mind, body, and spirit. The positive experience of the group, as members participate in the holistic modalities, strengthens and validates each individual. The holistic modalities used in this care model foster a sense of family and community that serves as structure and support for healing, in an atmosphere of self-responsibility.