River House, previously known as Greenwich Adult Day Care, has found an enthusiastic new executive director in Dee Hernandez.
Dee, short for Diandria, brings to the Cos Cob non-profit adult day center a refreshing perspective.
“This is a jewel,” said Hernandez, who commutes to Greenwich from New Rochelle.
Dee Hernandez, executive director at River House. Dec 22, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Hernandez described her 23 years of experience as having run the gamut, including overseeing a family shelter, doing street outreach, and working in eviction prevention services.
Most recently she was the director of the Center for Adults Living Well at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood in upper Manhattan, known there as simply the Y.
“I worked exclusively with older adults and realized how much I loved it,” she said. “They’re so honest and genuinely care about others. They open their hearts to you.”
Having put the program in place, and satisfied it was running successfully, Hernandez considered her next opportunity to challenge herself and discovered the opening at River House through Indeed.
“It was kismet. I was ready for a change and the next day I got a phone call,” she recalled.
For her part, board chair JoAnn McCarthy said Hernandez immediately stood out as a candidate to the board’s search committee.
Hernandez said she was impressed by both the board and staff at River House.
“I had never met a board that was so involved, not only in the interviews but in the programs. They have a vested interest in River House doing well,” she said.
“And the staff have been here so long, which was also impressive especially since other places experienced high turnover during Covid,” she added, noting many staff have been at River House 10, 20 or more years.
“Staff are the heart of River House,” Hernandez said.
Organized Community
A native New Yorker who grew up in the Bronx, Hernandez said Greenwich defied expectations.
“It’s a rich zip code, and that comes with misconceptions, but everyone has been nice, welcoming and generous,” she said. “In Westchester you just don’t have this type of involvement – what I call ‘organized community.'”
McCarthy said River House was something of a second home for aging seniors and she was grateful to lease the building from the Town of Greenwich for a nominal fee.
The building benefits from views of the Mianus River and its waterfall from vast picture windows that fill the interior with light.
McCarthy noted Hernandez had already made an impact, and after just three weeks already knew every one of the clients names and their stories.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is for people to know your name,” Hernandez said. “We should be like Cheers – where everybody knows your name.”
“To be worrying about a parent who is home alone – it is priceless to know they’re somewhere safe,” Hernandez added. “It’s an honor to be doing that. And clients are appreciative even if they can’t express it.”
River House operates with a medical model. There is a nurse on staff at all times, in addition to four aides – one being Alzheimer’s trained.
And at River House everyone has a reason for coming. Some attend the minimum of two days a week, others come Monday through Friday.
“We’re providing respite to families,” Hernandez said. “We’re checking that you’re seeing your doctor, touching base with your family. We’re helping with incontinence care. They bathe here and a family doesn’t have to worry about the risks of them falling. We have accessible baths. It makes it easier when their loved one gets home.”
Physical Activity Mental Stimulation
At River House clients participate in the same activities but are grouped according to how much instruction they need and the pace they’re comfortable with.
“Some need more support than others,” Hernandez said. “The recreation team comes up with all sorts of fun activities.”
The long term plan for River House is to service more people and raise both the organization’s capacity and census.
Hernandez said her short-term goal was to expand opportunities for physical activity and health, as well as mental stimulation.
“It’s about keeping minds and bodies active, and moving through laughter and fun and exercise,” she said.
And of course, clients benefit from the connections they make with each other at River House.
“They all know each other,” Hernandez said. “There is a sense of camaraderie and family.”
And while Covid raised awareness of the unique challenges of isolation, Hernandez pointed out that loneliness and isolation have always been a challenge for older adults.
“They were already isolated if their spouse had passed away, or if they had no kids or their friends passed away,” she said.
“One of our clients had been alone and isolated and told Dee, ‘I didn’t realize that was not normal,'” McCarthy said.
“If someone is missing one day, their friends will text them and say, ‘Hi, are you coming to yoga?'” Hernandez said.
River House is not only safe and secure, but full of love and laughter. And camaraderie and friendship.
Funding for River House comes from member fees and third party reimbursement, as well as financial contributions from the community at large including individuals, corporations, foundations, religious organizations, the Town of Greenwich, and Greenwich United Way.
For those interested in learning more about River House including whether it is a good fit for a family member, the website features an FAQ section.
The next step is to call and schedule a tour with the admissions coordinator. From there a family may schedule a guest visit and bring their loved one to River House.
“We figure out what works best, and to see if it’s a good fit for us and we’re a good fit for them,” Hernandez said.
Or for more information call (203) 622-0079 or email [email protected]
River House is located at 125 River Rd Ext, Cos Cob, CT 06807