Field Placement: Live Oak Adult Day Services
Location: San Jose, CA
Preceptor: Colleen Hudgen, Executive Director
Student Name: Kathryn Martinez
Year: 2002

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The location of my summer field study was Live Oak Adult Day Services in San Jose, CA. This is a non-profit organization committed to providing less independent elders programs for socialization during the day. This service serves both as a benefit to the elders and as a respite to their caregivers. I worked under the executive director of the organization, Colleen Hudgen. Due to the small size of the organization, I got to know all of the four program directors and every program specialist personally. I spent at least one week at each of the four centers located in San Jose, Willow Glen, Gilroy, and Los Gatos, and helped to implement program goals at each site. The different site visits were an integral element of my field study experience because it allowed me to observe and to work with a range of clients in four very distinct environments. Each center was entirely unique, with each center's clients falling in different ranges of functional capacity.

My role within the organization was very client-ended. I was required to perform many tasks that I had not originally anticipated. This included feeding clients, assisting them with toileting, and assisting with movement. In addition I planned program activities to encourage socialization, physical mobility, and brain function. I directed word games and puzzles to improve memory, and led daily exercise sessions with the clients focusing on flexibility and controlled movement.

I performed on-site geriatric assessments on new clients to determine mental and emotional state, as well as their potential for socialization within the program. These assessments are necessary to monitor and evaluate progress in each individual client, and to design client-appropriate activities for the day program.

In an effort to increase private funding for the Live Oak program, I transcribed the personal histories of two clients. This will be printed in a publication that Live Oak sends to current and potential funding sources. I also documented the activities at each site photographically, to be used in a new marketing model for Live Oak.

I had a very positive experience with the organization and made many valuable contacts. My work with the clients was the most profound aspect of this field study, and has contributed immeasurably to my understanding of aging and elder care.

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