February 21, 2025 • 13 mins
In this episode, Jo Jo begins his first days at The Bridge Center, an adult day program that promises structure and engagement. But while Jo Jo navigates his new environment, his parents, Rosa and Jorge Sr., grapple with unexpected emotions. Rosa struggles with the quiet in their home and the weight of newfound time, while Jorge encourages her to rediscover a long-lost passion—quilting. As they adjust to this new reality, they begin to redefine what daily life looks like beyond caregiving. Join us as we explore the emotional complexities of transition, self-care, and finding purpose beyond the role of caregiver.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Welcome back to Take Care Time,the Tales and Exhales of
Caregivers.
I'm your host, Beverly Nance,and this is Episode 2 of The
Bridge Center our in depth lookat adult day programs.
Last episode, we followed Rosaand George Sr.
as they fought to get their son,Jojo, into a day program after
(00:23):
years of waiting for a Medicaidwaiver.
It was a journey filled withroadblocks, exhaustion, and the
kind of quiet battles thatcaregivers fight every day.
But now, Jojo has his chance.
He has been accepted into theBridge Center.
And today, we step inside thosedoors with him.
For Rosa and George, this issupposed to be the beginning of
(00:45):
a new chapter.
One where Jojo is engaged inmeaningful activities and where
they finally get a sliver oftime to breathe.
But, as we'll see, thetransition wasn't as smooth as
they had hoped, because startingsomething new, something
unknown, is never easy.
And you're lost, you're lost,you're lost.
(01:17):
Where are you now, and where areyou?
Where are you now and where areyou?
It's 8 a.
m.
on a calm Tuesday.
Today is Day 2 of JoJo'sattendance at the Bridge Center.
Rosa stands in the driveway,gripping JoJo's backpack a
(01:40):
little too tightly.
The bridge center van is comingany minute.
JoJo stands next to her, rockingslightly on his feet, staring
down the street.
He doesn't seem anxious, butRosa is.
George Sr.
is home today.
He has a few days off before hisnext haul, and he's using this
(02:01):
time to be present.
He leans against the doorway,arms crossed, watching Rosa fuss
over Jojo's belongings.
He'll be fine, he'll be fine,Rosa.
Rosa nods, but she doesn'tbelieve it yet.
When the van finally pulls up, awoman with short hair steps out.
Her name is Lisa.
(02:22):
Lisa is one of thetransportation aides.
She greets them warmly and helpsJojo into the vehicle.
Rosa watches as he slides intohis seat, staring out the
window, his expressionunreadable.
As the van pulls away, Rosastands frozen.
George walks up behind her andplaces a hand on her shoulder.
(02:43):
Come on, he says, let's get somecoffee.
But Rosa doesn't move, becausethis is day two of the first
time in years Jojo isn't home,and she's not sure what to do
with that.
Jojo was happy when he came homeyesterday, but Rosa spent her
day out of sorts and kind ofmelancholy, sort of at a loss.
(03:06):
The Bridge Center, which is alsoaffectionately known as a place
of possibilities.
Center sits on the edge of town,a converted brick building that
once housed a small elementaryschool.
Its modest exterior gives way toa warm and inviting space inside
designed to be both functionaland comfortable for its
(03:27):
participants.
Large windows line the front,allowing natural light to flood
the common areas.
The entrance opens up into aspacious lobby, where a mural
depicting a vibrant communitywelcomes visitors.
The walls are adorned withframed artwork created by
participants, showcasing theircreativity and individuality.
(03:50):
To the left, a series of officeshouse administrative staff and
case managers, who ensure thateach participant's ISP is
properly implemented.
Further inside, the center isdivided into distinct areas
tailored to differentactivities.
A recreation room features a mixof comfortable seating and small
activity stations whereparticipants can engage in
(04:14):
games, puzzles, andsocialization.
The arts and crafts room isfilled with bins of supplies,
paints, brushes, paper, andfabric, providing a creative
outlet.
For those who enjoy hands onprojects.
For those who need quiet time, asensory friendly relaxation room
offers dim lighting, weightedblankets, and noise canceling
(04:37):
headphones.
The goal is to provide a spacewhere participants can self
regulate and find comfort if theday becomes too overwhelming.
The heart of the Bridge Centeris this multi purpose room where
group activities take place.
Whether it's a morningstretching session a music hour,
or an educational workshop, thisspace fosters engagement and
(04:58):
routine.
A small kitchen off to the sideallows staff to help
participants learn basic lifeskills, such as meal preparation
and cleaning up afterthemselves.
Outside, a fenced in courtyardoffers a safe space for
participants who enjoy freshair.
Raised garden beds provide anopportunity for those interested
(05:20):
in gardening, while shaded areasencourage small group
interactions.
The environment is designed topromote both independence and
social engagement, striking abalance between structure and
personal choice.
Yesterday, One of the firstthings the Bridge Center staff
did for JoJo was to review hisIndividualized Service Plan, or
(05:45):
ISP.
The ISP is a critical documentin Medicaid funded programs like
this one.
It outlines a participant'sneeds, strengths, goals, and
specific supports required tohelp him thrive.
For JoJo, his ISP details hiscommunication methods, his love
of music, and more.
His struggles with transitionsand the kind of structured
(06:07):
activities that help him feelcomfortable.
The plan is developed with inputfrom his family, medical
professionals and program staff,ensuring that every aspect of
his care is personalized.
The Bridge Center staff useJoJo's ISP as their roadmap for
the day.
When Daniel his assigned staffmember sees that JoJo responds
(06:31):
well to music, he makes a mentalnote to integrate it into his
daily routine.
When JoJo shows signs of stress,staff members know to follow the
ISP guidelines on how to providecomfort without overwhelming
him.
The ISP isn't just paperwork,it's a living document that
shows how JoJo is supported inhis new environment.
(06:53):
Inside the Bridge Center, JoJois introduced to his new
environment.
Inside, the center the walls arelined with colorful posters,
activity schedules, and framedpictures of smiling
participants.
JoJo, who is assigned to a staffmember named Daniel.
Daniel is a young man.
With a calm demeanor and an easyway about him.
Daniel reads JoJo's intake filecarefully and takes notes of his
(07:16):
preferences.
Since Daniel knows that JoJoloves music, he walks him to the
rec room where anotherparticipant named Marcus is
playing soft jazz on a Bluetoothspeaker.
JoJo doesn't react right away.
He doesn't engage with Marcus,but he doesn't pull away either.
Daniel sits with him quietly,letting him adjust.
The second date is aboutobservation.
(07:38):
No pushing, no overwhelmingdemands, just allowing Jojo to
take in his surroundings.
Jojo doesn't smile, but hedoesn't shut down either.
And that's a win.
Back at home on day two, Rosa isrestless.
She thought she would finallyhave time to relax, maybe take a
nap, but instead, she paces.
(07:59):
She checks her phone.
There are no phone calls fromthe Bridge Center.
She knows that's a good thing.
It means there haven't been anyproblems.
Still, she finds herself pickingup her purse and heading out.
She drives to the grocery store.
Moving slowly through theaisles, staring blankly at
shelves of food, she picks upitems that she doesn't need,
(08:20):
simply because.
She's never had this muchuninterrupted time before.
Every few minutes, she checksthe clock.
The hours feel stretched toothin and unnatural.
Eventually, she goes home andsits at the kitchen table,
staring at JoJo's empty chair.
She expected this day to feellike freedom.
Instead, it feels likesomething's missing.
(08:42):
George Sr., he handles things alittle bit differently.
He welcomes the quiet.
Sitting in his favoriterecliner, he finally watches a
TV show from start to finishwithout interruption.
But halfway through, he findshimself pulling out his phone
and scrolling through picturesof JoJo.
He zooms in on one from lastyear.
(09:04):
JoJo's in the backyard wearinghis favorite red hoodie,
watching the trees.
Jorge's throat tightens.
he spent so much of JoJo'schildhood on the road.
Hauling cargo from one state toanother.
He provided for his family, buthe missed things too.
And now Jojo, at his dayprogram, something they fought
so hard for, but feels differentthan he expected.
(09:27):
He glances at Rosa, who's stilllost in thought at the table.
He's okay, you know, Georgesays.
She nods, I know, but knowingdoesn't stop the ache.
George watches her for a momentand then he leans forward.
Rosa, before JoJo was born, youenjoyed quilting.
(09:47):
That's what you need to do.
Start quilting again.
You finally have some hoursduring the day to enjoy
yourself.
Rosa looks at him, surprised bythe suggestion.
She hadn't thought aboutquilting in years.
The ideal lingers, stirringsomething inside of her, a
memory of a time when she hadspace for herself.
(10:11):
At 2.
30, the van pulls back into thedriveway.
Rosa is outside before it evencomes to a full stop.
Lisa helps Jojo out, hands Rosaa clipboard with some notes of
the day.
He did very well again, Lisasays.
Didn't say too much, but hedidn't seem upset.
He likes the music room.
(10:31):
Rosa nods, taking it all in.
Jojo steps into the house,immediately walking to his
favorite spot by the window.
He rocks slightly, humming tohimself.
It's the same rhythm as before.
He's okay.
She exhales.
Later that evening, as Rosawashes the dinner dishes,
George's words quilting.
(10:51):
She had almost forgotten how,what she loved it, how the feel
of the fabric in her hands andthe rhythmic stitching once
bought her a sense of peace.
She wipes her hands on a toweland walks through the hallway
closet, pulling open the door.
Inside, neatly tucked away in abox she hasn't touched in years,
are her old quilting supplies.
She runs her fingers over thefabric.
(11:12):
Smiling slightly, Maybe it wastime to bring this part of
herself back The next morning asJojo's van pulls away from the
driveway Rosa grabs her pursetoday She's going to the local
craft store.
It's time to start againAdjusting to something new isn't
(11:34):
just about the personexperiencing it It's about the
whole family Jojo's first A fewdays at the Bridge Center were
not dramatic.
There were no outbursts, nomeltdowns, but for Rosa and
George, it was a day of learninghow to let go, just a little.
(11:55):
In the next episode, we'llexplore JoJo's adjustment
period, how the staff at theBridge Center Help him find his
rhythm and how Rosa and Georgelearn to reshape their daily
lives around his new reality.
Because starting something newisn't just about the first day,
it's about the days that follow.
(12:15):
Caring for a loved one is a fulltime job, but taking care of
yourself is just as important.
That's why the Take Care Timerespite box was created.
To remind caregivers like youthat self-care isn't a luxury,
it's a necessity.
Each box is thoughtfully curatedwith relaxation essentials,
comforting treats, and smalljoys to help you recharge.
(12:37):
Because when you take care ofyourself, you're better able to
care for those who depend onyou.
Visit takecaretime.com to orderyour take care time respite box
because you deserve a moment ofcare too.
Please note that this episodefeatures reenactments and
dramatized details.
While in most cases, the exactverbatim dialogue may not be
(12:58):
known, all dramatizations aregrounded in thorough research
and crafted to honor the storiesshared.
To respect the privacy andconfidentiality of the
individuals involved, names andsome identifying details have
been changed.
Do you have a story that you'dlike to have told?
Please contact us atpodcast@takecaretime.Com.
(13:21):
We would love to hear from you.
Until next week, take care.
And you're lost, you're lost,you're lost.
(13:42):
Where are you now, and where areyou?
Where are you now and where areyou?
Welcome back to Take Care Time,the Tales and Exhales of
Caregivers.
I'm your host, Beverly Nance,and this is Episode 2 of The
Bridge Center our in depth lookat adult day programs.
Last episode, we followed Rosaand George Sr.
as they fought to get their son,Jojo, into a day program after
(00:23):
years of waiting for a Medicaidwaiver.
It was a journey filled withroadblocks, exhaustion, and the
kind of quiet battles thatcaregivers fight every day.
But now, Jojo has his chance.
He has been accepted into theBridge Center.
And today, we step inside thosedoors with him.
For Rosa and George, this issupposed to be the beginning of
(00:45):
a new chapter.
One where Jojo is engaged inmeaningful activities and where
they finally get a sliver oftime to breathe.
But, as we'll see, thetransition wasn't as smooth as
they had hoped, because startingsomething new, something
unknown, is never easy.
And you're lost, you're lost,you're lost.
(01:17):
Where are you now, and where areyou?
Where are you now and where areyou?
It's 8 a.
m.
on a calm Tuesday.
Today is Day 2 of JoJo'sattendance at the Bridge Center.
Rosa stands in the driveway,gripping JoJo's backpack a
(01:40):
little too tightly.
The bridge center van is comingany minute.
JoJo stands next to her, rockingslightly on his feet, staring
down the street.
He doesn't seem anxious, butRosa is.
George Sr.
is home today.
He has a few days off before hisnext haul, and he's using this
(02:01):
time to be present.
He leans against the doorway,arms crossed, watching Rosa fuss
over Jojo's belongings.
He'll be fine, he'll be fine,Rosa.
Rosa nods, but she doesn'tbelieve it yet.
When the van finally pulls up, awoman with short hair steps out.
Her name is Lisa.
(02:22):
Lisa is one of thetransportation aides.
She greets them warmly and helpsJojo into the vehicle.
Rosa watches as he slides intohis seat, staring out the
window, his expressionunreadable.
As the van pulls away, Rosastands frozen.
George walks up behind her andplaces a hand on her shoulder.
(02:43):
Come on, he says, let's get somecoffee.
But Rosa doesn't move, becausethis is day two of the first
time in years Jojo isn't home,and she's not sure what to do
with that.
Jojo was happy when he came homeyesterday, but Rosa spent her
day out of sorts and kind ofmelancholy, sort of at a loss.
(03:06):
The Bridge Center, which is alsoaffectionately known as a place
of possibilities.
Center sits on the edge of town,a converted brick building that
once housed a small elementaryschool.
Its modest exterior gives way toa warm and inviting space inside
designed to be both functionaland comfortable for its
(03:27):
participants.
Large windows line the front,allowing natural light to flood
the common areas.
The entrance opens up into aspacious lobby, where a mural
depicting a vibrant communitywelcomes visitors.
The walls are adorned withframed artwork created by
participants, showcasing theircreativity and individuality.
(03:50):
To the left, a series of officeshouse administrative staff and
case managers, who ensure thateach participant's ISP is
properly implemented.
Further inside, the center isdivided into distinct areas
tailored to differentactivities.
A recreation room features a mixof comfortable seating and small
activity stations whereparticipants can engage in
(04:14):
games, puzzles, andsocialization.
The arts and crafts room isfilled with bins of supplies,
paints, brushes, paper, andfabric, providing a creative
outlet.
For those who enjoy hands onprojects.
For those who need quiet time, asensory friendly relaxation room
offers dim lighting, weightedblankets, and noise canceling
(04:37):
headphones.
The goal is to provide a spacewhere participants can self
regulate and find comfort if theday becomes too overwhelming.
The heart of the Bridge Centeris this multi purpose room where
group activities take place.
Whether it's a morningstretching session a music hour,
or an educational workshop, thisspace fosters engagement and
(04:58):
routine.
A small kitchen off to the sideallows staff to help
participants learn basic lifeskills, such as meal preparation
and cleaning up afterthemselves.
Outside, a fenced in courtyardoffers a safe space for
participants who enjoy freshair.
Raised garden beds provide anopportunity for those interested
(05:20):
in gardening, while shaded areasencourage small group
interactions.
The environment is designed topromote both independence and
social engagement, striking abalance between structure and
personal choice.
Yesterday, One of the firstthings the Bridge Center staff
did for JoJo was to review hisIndividualized Service Plan, or
(05:45):
ISP.
The ISP is a critical documentin Medicaid funded programs like
this one.
It outlines a participant'sneeds, strengths, goals, and
specific supports required tohelp him thrive.
For JoJo, his ISP details hiscommunication methods, his love
of music, and more.
His struggles with transitionsand the kind of structured
(06:07):
activities that help him feelcomfortable.
The plan is developed with inputfrom his family, medical
professionals and program staff,ensuring that every aspect of
his care is personalized.
The Bridge Center staff useJoJo's ISP as their roadmap for
the day.
When Daniel his assigned staffmember sees that JoJo responds
(06:31):
well to music, he makes a mentalnote to integrate it into his
daily routine.
When JoJo shows signs of stress,staff members know to follow the
ISP guidelines on how to providecomfort without overwhelming
him.
The ISP isn't just paperwork,it's a living document that
shows how JoJo is supported inhis new environment.
(06:53):
Inside the Bridge Center, JoJois introduced to his new
environment.
Inside, the center the walls arelined with colorful posters,
activity schedules, and framedpictures of smiling
participants.
JoJo, who is assigned to a staffmember named Daniel.
Daniel is a young man.
With a calm demeanor and an easyway about him.
Daniel reads JoJo's intake filecarefully and takes notes of his
(07:16):
preferences.
Since Daniel knows that JoJoloves music, he walks him to the
rec room where anotherparticipant named Marcus is
playing soft jazz on a Bluetoothspeaker.
JoJo doesn't react right away.
He doesn't engage with Marcus,but he doesn't pull away either.
Daniel sits with him quietly,letting him adjust.
The second date is aboutobservation.
(07:38):
No pushing, no overwhelmingdemands, just allowing Jojo to
take in his surroundings.
Jojo doesn't smile, but hedoesn't shut down either.
And that's a win.
Back at home on day two, Rosa isrestless.
She thought she would finallyhave time to relax, maybe take a
nap, but instead, she paces.
(07:59):
She checks her phone.
There are no phone calls fromthe Bridge Center.
She knows that's a good thing.
It means there haven't been anyproblems.
Still, she finds herself pickingup her purse and heading out.
She drives to the grocery store.
Moving slowly through theaisles, staring blankly at
shelves of food, she picks upitems that she doesn't need,
(08:20):
simply because.
She's never had this muchuninterrupted time before.
Every few minutes, she checksthe clock.
The hours feel stretched toothin and unnatural.
Eventually, she goes home andsits at the kitchen table,
staring at JoJo's empty chair.
She expected this day to feellike freedom.
Instead, it feels likesomething's missing.
(08:42):
George Sr., he handles things alittle bit differently.
He welcomes the quiet.
Sitting in his favoriterecliner, he finally watches a
TV show from start to finishwithout interruption.
But halfway through, he findshimself pulling out his phone
and scrolling through picturesof JoJo.
He zooms in on one from lastyear.
(09:04):
JoJo's in the backyard wearinghis favorite red hoodie,
watching the trees.
Jorge's throat tightens.
he spent so much of JoJo'schildhood on the road.
Hauling cargo from one state toanother.
He provided for his family, buthe missed things too.
And now Jojo, at his dayprogram, something they fought
so hard for, but feels differentthan he expected.
(09:27):
He glances at Rosa, who's stilllost in thought at the table.
He's okay, you know, Georgesays.
She nods, I know, but knowingdoesn't stop the ache.
George watches her for a momentand then he leans forward.
Rosa, before JoJo was born, youenjoyed quilting.
(09:47):
That's what you need to do.
Start quilting again.
You finally have some hoursduring the day to enjoy
yourself.
Rosa looks at him, surprised bythe suggestion.
She hadn't thought aboutquilting in years.
The ideal lingers, stirringsomething inside of her, a
memory of a time when she hadspace for herself.
(10:11):
At 2.
30, the van pulls back into thedriveway.
Rosa is outside before it evencomes to a full stop.
Lisa helps Jojo out, hands Rosaa clipboard with some notes of
the day.
He did very well again, Lisasays.
Didn't say too much, but hedidn't seem upset.
He likes the music room.
(10:31):
Rosa nods, taking it all in.
Jojo steps into the house,immediately walking to his
favorite spot by the window.
He rocks slightly, humming tohimself.
It's the same rhythm as before.
He's okay.
She exhales.
Later that evening, as Rosawashes the dinner dishes,
George's words quilting.
(10:51):
She had almost forgotten how,what she loved it, how the feel
of the fabric in her hands andthe rhythmic stitching once
bought her a sense of peace.
She wipes her hands on a toweland walks through the hallway
closet, pulling open the door.
Inside, neatly tucked away in abox she hasn't touched in years,
are her old quilting supplies.
She runs her fingers over thefabric.
(11:12):
Smiling slightly, Maybe it wastime to bring this part of
herself back The next morning asJojo's van pulls away from the
driveway Rosa grabs her pursetoday She's going to the local
craft store.
It's time to start againAdjusting to something new isn't
(11:34):
just about the personexperiencing it It's about the
whole family Jojo's first A fewdays at the Bridge Center were
not dramatic.
There were no outbursts, nomeltdowns, but for Rosa and
George, it was a day of learninghow to let go, just a little.
(11:55):
In the next episode, we'llexplore JoJo's adjustment
period, how the staff at theBridge Center Help him find his
rhythm and how Rosa and Georgelearn to reshape their daily
lives around his new reality.
Because starting something newisn't just about the first day,
it's about the days that follow.
(12:15):
Caring for a loved one is a fulltime job, but taking care of
yourself is just as important.
That's why the Take Care Timerespite box was created.
To remind caregivers like youthat self-care isn't a luxury,
it's a necessity.
Each box is thoughtfully curatedwith relaxation essentials,
comforting treats, and smalljoys to help you recharge.
(12:37):
Because when you take care ofyourself, you're better able to
care for those who depend onyou.
Visit takecaretime.com to orderyour take care time respite box
because you deserve a moment ofcare too.
Please note that this episodefeatures reenactments and
dramatized details.
While in most cases, the exactverbatim dialogue may not be
(12:58):
known, all dramatizations aregrounded in thorough research
and crafted to honor the storiesshared.
To respect the privacy andconfidentiality of the
individuals involved, names andsome identifying details have
been changed.
Do you have a story that you'dlike to have told?
Please contact us atpodcast@takecaretime.Com.
(13:21):
We would love to hear from you.
Until next week, take care.
And you're lost, you're lost,you're lost.
(13:42):
Where are you now, and where areyou?
Where are you now and where areyou?
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