By Mystique Macomber
Special to the City Times

Caregivers need a break every now and then. Some caregivers find that respite through adult day services. Park Place Adult Day Services in Centralia Center is one such place. Open five days a week, staff members provide the supervision and care necessary to allow caregivers to do what they need, be it shopping, going to appointments, working or even sleeping.

Ruth Macomber, front, and her grandson Nick Macomber paint a mural at Park Place Adult Day Services. The facility recently underwent some remodeling. The mural offers a serene waterfront view. (Contributed Photo)

Park Place serves people with physical limitations, due to age, illness or injury, cognitive impairment and mild to moderate memory impairment.

“We feel like a one-room schoolhouse,” said Executive Director Karen Renner-Valley about Park Place. She spoke to the Alzheimer’s caregiver support group. “They are all there all day, like a family,” she said about Park Place’s clients.

Between 12 and 16 people attend Park Place each day, including veterans with VA benefits. There typically are four clients to every staff member. Various activities are planned each day. Renner-Valley said they recently have added pet therapy on a regular basis and a volunteer who reads stories to draw in his listeners. An unused white board is the backdrop for a painted mural by a local artist. The piano sits in the center of the room, waiting for volunteers to play.

“We always encourage variety,” she said. “We find something that they like.” “People don’t always understand what Park Place is or who it serves, she said. Often people assume they need to be more impaired or that it wouldn’t be a good fit for their loved one.”

To find out if Park Place can help you, set up a visit with Renner-Valley. Call 715-422-2795 or go to