ELDERCARE PROGRAM NAMED FOR FOUNDER, HOOVER

Nearly 12 years ago, Grace V. Hoover of Southeast Missouri State University had an idea for an adult day-care facility.

On Tuesday, Hoover was honored by the university and the community for the idea that became a program that now bears her name: The Grace V. Hoover Eldercare Center Program.

The dedicatory plaque was presented to Hoover by University President Kala M. Stroup and Board of Regents President Ann Dombrowski during a ceremony at the center, 805 N. Sprigg.

The center was actually renamed by the regents during its Oct. 11 meeting, but the action remained confidential until this week.

Stroup said renaming the Hoover Eldercare Center Program will "recognize her unparalleled success in getting outside funding and local support that led to the creation of a series of programs designed to serve the needs of the elderly."

Stroup said Hoover was the first director of the Center for Aging and Gerontology Studies at the university and was also the driving force behind the formation of the Eldercare Center, the elderhostel program, and the geriatrics sitters training program.

Hoover is professor emeritus and academic advising coordinator in Southeast's College of Health and Human Services. She retired in 1990 after 30 years of service to the university.

The Hoover Eldercare Center Program is the only licensed, social, adult day-care facility in Missouri for area residents age 60 and older. Today, Eldercare serves about 20 older adult participants, whose average age is 78. The day care program operates Monday through Friday.

Hoover said the idea of a day-care program for the elderly came after she organized and held the first elderhostel program on campus in the summer of 1979. After the hostel ended, Hoover thought it was a shame that no programs were being offered to this group of citizens.

After getting the go-ahead from campus officials, Hoover and her staff used a grant from the local Area Agency on Aging and a facility provided by the university on South Ellis, next to the old St. Francis Hospital, to begin the first ever Eldercare program in the state.

Reflecting on the 12 years she was associated with the Eldercare program, Hoover said today's society still has a long way to go in its treatment of older adults.

"It seems that our society is not ready to accept full responsibility of elder care to the degree that, finally, our society has accepted the responsibility for child care," she said.

"I can remember when we paid 25 cents an hour to someone to take care of our children. We've improved a great deal in child care, but we have a ways to come, yet, in elder care."

Hoover said many older adults who now live in nursing homes or other institutions do not belong there.

"It breaks my heart to see some of the elderly people in longterm institutional care that need not be there if we had more facilities that could provide supportive services through the week and the year," she said.

"I think it ought to be the goal to spread similar (elder care) programs like this in all communities in Southeast Missouri, then across the state, and finally, across the country."

Hoover said not all older adults need the services of an elder care program, but added, "Too many do, and it is not available. Many of the people in nursing homes do not need to be in nursing homes, if they had some kind of supportive care, such as this program offers."

University Provost Les Cochran called attention to the qualities demonstrated by Hoover during her academic career, including high academic standards, innovation and dedication to the university.

Robert Boissoneau, dean of the College of Human Health & Services, explained the Hoover Eldercare Center Program is managed from mostly outside funds and receives very few university dollars. It relies on outside organizations and individuals who have contributed to the program.

Don Ford, director of university development, said private giving to the Eldercare Center program now totals $31,000 in cash and in-kind donations.

Cynthia Kothe, director of the center, said the center and its programs help meet the needs of older adults, while giving students experience in teaching techniques appropriate for older adults.

"We serve a dual population and have a dual purpose," she said.