Silver Fox Expands in Baldwinsville
By Mary Beth Roach
To the staff and members of the Silver Fox Adult Day Care Center in Baldwinsville, the expansion taking place there means far more than adding some square footage.
“It represents growth, trust and the continued need for quality adult day services in our community,” according to Linda Johnstone, executive director of both the Silver Fox centers in Baldwinsville and Manlius. “We are not just expanding a building, we are expanding our ability to serve more people, support more families, and continue the mission Silver Fox was built on.”
For the members of the Baldwinsville center, “this expansion means more room to socialize, participate, build friendships, and continue being part of a community that sees them for who they are. To me, that is what matters most,” Johnstone explained.
While it specializes in caring for those with dementia, Silver Fox accommodates any senior that needs oversight and supervision.
“Silver Fox has always been about creating a place where older adults feel safe, valued, engaged and truly cared for, while also giving families peace of mind and support,” she noted.
Currently, the site sees about 30 to 38 members each day, and with the larger facility, Johnstone has estimated that they can now welcome up to about 45, without having to put some on waiting lists.
The staff who cares for the members numbers 10, including Johnstone, and she believes that the expansion is a reflection of their hard work and the difference they make every single day. “They are the reason families trust us, and they are the heart of what happens inside our centers.”
Renovation work, the first since Silver Fox opened in 2007, has been going on for about two months, and was scheduled to be done by mid-July. The facility will now occupy the entire building at 22 E. Genesee St. in the village. Its footprint will increase by more than 60%, from 3,300 square feet to an estimated 5,300. The open space that has served as both the activity center and dining space will now only be used as the dining area. The activity center, Johnstone said, will be in the new space, and will allow for more programming. The members will now also have the opportunity to move around more.
The building is located on a beautiful stretch of the Seneca River, and its upgraded deck takes advantage of the views of the waterway and its wildlife, as well as of the bustling village.
Sliding glass doors open up onto the deck, and Johnstone is looking forward to furnishing it with tables, chairs, umbrellas and a grill out there. A dedicated quiet space is a new and beneficial amenity for the center’s members, with comfortable seating, lots of natural light, and access to the deck.
About half the members are private pay, but Johnstone pointed out that Silver Fox has contracts with Onondaga County, Oswego County, and Madison County, and the Veterans Association, and they take Medicaid MLTC (Managed Long-Term Care) plans.
Silver Fox is also celebrating the fact that it has won the Center of Distinction Award from the National Adult Day Service Association. It will be honored at a special event in the fall.