The Snellville-based adult day center recently underwent a rebranding and changed its name after completing its previous franchise agreement. In Cooper’s words, they will continue to offer the same high-end service as always.
“It’s the same owner with a new name,” Cooper said. Beyond the new signage and logo, the change is hardly noticeable. McKinley has maintained the same location, staffing, and most activities will continue as they have for years.
“She’s been doing this for a while, so I understand she would want to do her own brand eventually,” said Frank Meyer, a participant at the Snellville day center for five years.
Executive Director Tato Gayflorsee presents Joyce Spraggs with a gift at McKinley Community Center’s rebranding ceremony. Joyce’s mother, Odessa Spraggs has been a participant at the center for two years, and they both enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere at McKinley.As the owner of an independent business, Cooper will have the ability to add a more personalized touch to her company and to bring her values for family and community to the forefront of her business.
“We have completed our franchise contract, and so we have picked up our corporate name ‘McKinley’ now that we are an independent business, “Cooper explained. “And if you’re wondering where ‘McKinley’ comes from, it’s my son’s middle name.”
Cooper’s father Bob Treadwell says she’s “a natural” caregiver. “I’m proud of her,” Treadwell said of his daughter. “She went to school for healthcare and watched my parents who passed suffer from Alzheimer’s, and she helped us take care of them.”
Cooper admits that caring for her grandparents was what inspired her to open a day center. At McKinley, her goal has always been to engage participants through activities that stimulate their minds and encourage them to utilize their intellectual and social skills.
“They are leaders, and they only need the proper assistance to stay connected and live as independently as possible while enjoying their later years,” Cooper said of the seniors participating at the center.
McKinley provides multiple opportunities for seniors to lead group activities. Frank Meyer will seize that opportunity by leading several games of “Pictionary with Frank” with fellow participants in the month of June.
“We’re more than a bingo parlor. We’re doing a lot more than that,” said McKinley’s Executive Director Tato Gayflorsee.
Gayflorsee explained that many professional caregivers are concerned that seniors are spending too much of their time being inactive and alone.
Owner Aysha Cooper and Bob Treadwell at the rebranding ceremony for McKinley Community Care Center.“Loneliness is an epidemic in this country just as lethal as cigarettes,” said Gayflorsee who is working towards a Ph.D in caregiving and is writing his dissertation on alternative forms of treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Some of the regular activities participants enjoy at McKinley include plant and pet therapies, singalongs and movie nights. Mealtime tends to be one of the most popular activities.
“We always begin with a daily greeting where we go over the lunch menu and what we’re going to be doing that day before breaking up into different activities,” said Program Director Michelle Johnson.
Johnson explained that the staff tries to cater to participants’ tastes, and they accommodate requests for variations to the menu.
“It all works out in the end. It takes so many to make one day complete and to make sure everybody is happy,” Johnson said.
Longtime participant Frank Meyer and his grandson, Hollis Meyer at McKinley Community Care Center. Occasionally, Frank leads “Pictionary with Frank” with fellow participants at the Center.New to McKinley Center is the Universal Yums program which allows participants to taste foods from around the world while receiving informational materials about the country’s cuisine and culture. “As far as I know, we are the only adult day center participating in this program,” Johnson said.
The staff held a rebranding town hall on May 23, 2019, inviting loyal participants and their families to come celebrate. The ceremony commenced shortly after 6 p.m. and ended with cake and a presentation of gifts.
“This is one of the best times I have had with my mother,” Joyce Spraggs said of the two-year period her mother, Odessa Spraggs, has been a participant at McKinley. “My grandmother died at an early age, so my mother never really had a mother. Our roles are reversed now, and it’s been beautiful. I feel good knowing my mother is being well cared for here at McKinley Care while I work during the day.”
As the center enters its pilot year as an independent business, Cooper hopes to continue working with caretakers and families to provide customized care for each participant. She invites families to join in their daily activities as often as they have availability. McKinley is located at 1567 Janmar Rd. in Snellville. More information is available online at www.mckinleyga.com.
