Live Oak Adult Day Services, located next to Wheeler Manor on Sixth Street, is a unique gem in the heart of Gilroy where seniors can stay during daytime hours. They are treated with loving care and respect by everyone on the staff. There’s no other center like it in South County.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, there will be a benefit held at Live Oak Adult Day Services with the presentation of “A Silent Matinee,” which will feature Charlie Chaplin in “The Tramp” and Harold Lloyd in “High and Dizzy.” Candace Fazzio, director of Gilroy’s Music Academy, will provide live piano accompaniment.
Refreshments and door prizes will add to the festive afternoon of celluloid comedy. An added treat to the afternoon will be provided by Lisa and Steve Ashford, of Gilroy’s Ashford Antiques, who will bring their popcorn cart to make popcorn for all movie-goers.
This program reminds us that at Live Oak, there is never a dull moment. Area residents bring their senior relatives from Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin and Hollister to the center for safe supervision, meals, games, music, socializing, crafts, entertainment and exercise from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Current seniors served by Live Oak include two 100-year-old regulars, Anna and Frances.
“I don’t know if it’s the smell of garlic in the air or the care at Live Oak,” director Cheryl Huguenor joked, “but our seniors are amazing.” A birthday bash is planned for next month when Anna will turn 101.
The twin missions of Live Oak Adult Day Services are to provide respite to caregivers, while forestalling or preventing nursing home placement for frail seniors. The facility has been part of the Gilroy community since 1993, and remains the only adult day care center in South County.
Huguenor must constantly seek ongoing funding sources for the center in an economy that has forced the elimination of many other much-needed human services. Fees paid by participants are determined by a sliding scale based upon income, but many seniors are too low income to pay more than a fraction of what it costs to provide services.
The nonprofit center depends upon donations and funding from a number of sources, including the City, Gilroy Foundation, United Way and various grants, as well as Gavilan College’s Adult Education Program offers exercise classes that helps seniors to stave off nursing home care. There used to be more classes in music, art and coping with life’s challenges, but ongoing cuts in funding have forced the elimination of many classes.
“We are currently being considered for funding by the Citizens’ Advisory Commission,” Huguenor said. “We are grateful for all the help we’ve had and fortunate in being able to provide a great program that resonates so well with people.”
Candace Fazzio is always working for the good of the community to showcase as much local musical talent as possible. Last season she collaborated with local musicians to put together a concert series called Musi-Kaleidoscope. The concerts raised funds for outreach to the poor in our community, while the community at large enjoyed the talents and dedication of 15 diverse musicians.
Fazzio has volunteered to entertain with live music at Live Oak since it opened in 1993. Her music brings seniors dancing to their feet to the beat – such as Grace, who is one of the original Rockettes. She was still doing the splits up until age 85!
“Sometimes people are afraid that this is like a nursing home till they walk in and see how vibrant it is,” Huguenor said with a beaming smile. “Live Oak is the kind of center that is only made possible by the overwhelming community support we’ve experienced over the past 19 years.”
It’s the kind of place we all hope will be there for us in our time of need, a place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, gentleness and care.
You can help Gilroy’s Live Oak Adult Day Services raise funds while enjoying movies as they began, when once upon a time the most amazing special effect was the moving images on the screen, with live music concealing the noise of the hand-turned projector, and maintaining calm in a darkened theater. Fazzio has arranged the music of U.S. composers from the early 20th century to coincide with the scenes and the stories of the films.
“A Silent Matinee” will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, on Sixth Street. All ages are welcome. Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended, and may be made by contacting Live Oak Adult Day Services, 651 Sixth St., Gilroy at (408) 847-5491. Suggested donation for the performance is $10 in advance ($12 at the door).
