(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Participants walk through the broad hallways of North Oakland Senior Center to get to BACS's adult day care room. The center primarily serves a population with dementia. The interior is decorated with participant's brightly colored artwork. A bookcase stacked with art supplies and games rests against a wall. Participants enjoy two snacks and a hot lunch service daily. Typical lunch offerings include barbeque chicken with wedge-cut potatoes and brussel sprouts or baked cod with rice pilaf. A morning snack of fresh fruit, yogurt and juice is served at the start of each gathering. In the afternoon, participants have cookies and crackers; occasionally, goodies from cooking projects double as the afternoon snack. The activity calendar includes arts and crafts, cooking, bingo, current events discussions, exercise, bowling and even volleyball! On the day of our visit, all eight tables were occupied by participants engaged in various activities. Although few field trips are scheduled, the staff regularly supervises walks around the two neatly groomed courtyards. One staff member commended the activity director, Amanda, calling her the "heart and soul" of the operation; Amanda has been with BACS since its opening sixteen years ago. The staff is a vital part of the success of this program. Volunteers drop in for several hours a day to lend a helping hand. One long-standing volunteer created a bingo game of historical faces and places that the participants thoroughly enjoy; it spawns many lively discussions and personal storytelling.