Vintage cars rolled out in Mission Viejo to celebrate fathers and provide an afternoon of entertainment for adults with dementia and their caregivers.
The fourth annual Father’s Day car show was organized by the Adult Day Program at Mount of Olives Church, a weekday “friendship club” that provides socialization and activities for seniors who are diagnosed with early-stage diseases that cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
More than 30 classic cars parked outside at the Friday afternoon event at Mount of Olives, and a Dixieland jazz band entertained those in attendance.
“We like to honor the dads in our program,” said Gaye Satterfield, the director of the Adult Day Program. “We’re very concerned with retaining their dignity and reminding them what it was like in their day.”
While about 50 people are enrolled in the Adult Day Program, it serves anywhere from 25 to 30 each day. Aside from socialization, the program provides resources to seniors and caregivers as well as activities, like the vintage car show, every quarter.
And the group also seeks to raise awareness of dementia and eliminate the stigma that can come with cognitive impairments.
“We’re the best-kept secret of Mission Viejo,” said Satterfield, who became involved with the program when she joined a support group a few years ago. “We’re the happiest place in Mission Viejo. Even though we’re an adult day program, we don’t like to say ‘adult daycare’ or ‘program;’ we are the friendship club.”
“I’m firmly convinced that the social aspect with brain function is so important,” Satterfield continued. “We feel very privileged to be able to meet the needs of the participants and caregivers.”
The program is always in search of volunteers — who Satterfield says she heavily vets to ensure they are compassionate — as well as opportunities for grant funding. The program costs $103 for a 6.5 hour day, and there are not yet…
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