Founded in 1997, St. Mary’s Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program has thrived as we approach ten years of operation. We offer primary care and also co-founded VidaCare (lime green font, link to Vidacare page), a special needs Medicaid plan for those with HIV/AIDS. St. Mary’s goal is to provide “one stop high quality health care” where clients can safely meet all of their needs, such as medicalcare, meals, therapy and activities.
AIDS ADHC programs were designed to care for people who are in need of medical and health services yet are too healthy to be in nursing homes or hospitals. Our program assists people living with AIDS to live more independently in the community, in an effort to delay or eliminate the need for residential health care. This underserved population can expect a comfortable and secure environment where their medical, emotional and social needs can be fulfilled. St. Mary’s achieves these goals with compassionate and committed staff.
Since we are a small facility with less than 80 clients, we get to know them as individuals, on a personal basis. There is a strong rapport between clients and staff, enabling clients to open up and develop their trust in us. Our goal is to provide quality health care in a supportive and nurturing environment. With our extensive medical, emotional and social support, we motivate our clients to take all necessary steps to stay healthy for as long as possible.
Most clients are referred to St. Mary’s by word of mouth or by hospitals. For a client to be admitted to the ADHC program, they must meet the following criteria:
- AIDS or HIV symptomatic;
OR on antiretroviral therapy;
OR HIV asymptomatic by history;
OR viral load is less than 5,000 and CD4 count is not currently on antiretroviral therapy
- Applicant is at least 18 years of age
- Applicant is able to provide Medicaid reimbursement
- Applicant is not in the infectious stage of tuberculosis
Our ADHC services (underline and link to ADHC services page) page offers more details about our specific programs.
“I love St. Mary’s! Being here taught me how to deal with the virus, that I’m living with this disease and that I can lead a normal life. I learned that I can do anything, all sorts of activities, go to school, get a job whenever I’m ready. It also showed me that I’m not alone. I’ve been here a long time, in and out when I was using, but I knew I had support here. St. Mary’s has given me hope.”
--Male client
"Attending St. Mary’s Adult Center has been helpful to me in so many ways. I’ve have learned to control my anger, through the anger management groups. St. Mary’s is very good in many ways; such as harm reduction and is a safe haven to many of their clients. I like to attend arts and craft and music therapy. St. Mary’s has changed me from a street runner, the person I was before. Now I have a family to come and talk things over; everyday. I stay out of trouble; I’ve learned many skills. St. Mary’s Adult Center is one of the best adult centers in New York. I wish them many more years of success because St. Mary’s is needed in the community. Clients will always need St. Mary’s Adult Center. "
--Male Client