BRCA center in Drexel restores senior care services

Blue Ridge Community Action (BRCA) has opened a new, albeit temporary, Adult Day Care Center in Drexel, providing essential services for seniors while renovations continue in the Morganton office damaged during Hurricane Helene.

The center opened March 18 at 304 S. Main St. in the Handi-Care building. Mike Queen, a longtime partner of BRCA and owner of Handi-Care, offered the mostly vacant space after learning of the organization’s need.

After confirming the facility met state standards, and installing a $21,000 fire suppression system, BRCA transformed the building into a warm, welcoming space for clients and caregivers alike.

“After the damage to our corporate office, we knew we had to act quickly to ensure our clients didn’t go without care,” said Shawna Haynes, BRCA chief operating officer. “This partnership with Mike Queen was a true blessing. It’s because of our strong community ties that we were able to get back up and running.”

Currently, the center serves about a dozen seniors, with the ability to host up to 25. The Drexel location allows for BRCA to reach families in Burke and Catawba counties.

The Adult Day Care Center’s mission is to support seniors in staying active, connected, and cared for — while giving caregivers the peace of mind and rest they need.

Clients enjoy nutritious meals and snacks tailored to their dietary needs, participate in daily activities like music, arts and crafts, light exercise, and memory games, and benefit from regular social interaction to combat isolation.

A full-time nurse is on-site to monitor health and provide basic care, while the center itself features relaxing massage chairs, quiet rooms for rest, and a large event whiteboard that keeps everyone connected to what’s happening each day.

For families, BRCA’s program removes major obstacles by offering daytime care and even transportation, allowing caregivers the freedom to work, go to school, or manage other responsibilities without worry. The program empowers families to pursue personal and financial goals while ensuring their loved ones are cared for with dignity and compassion.

“Our program does so much more than provide supervision,” said Adult Day Care Director Lisa Lail. “We create a space where seniors are engaged, active, and part of a community.”

The Drexel facility is temporary, with renovations underway at the original North Green Street location in Morganton. BRCA hopes to return to that site by the end of June, but BRCA staff stressed the Drexel center is instrumental in maintaining continuity of care.

“Being able to continue to provide services that were already much needed prior to the hurricane is important to all BRCA staff,” Haynes stated. “We recognize that we are a vital resource to our community and a lifeline for many families in need.”

For longtime members like Ms. Freda, who had attended the Morganton center for years, the Drexel opening brought a renewed sense of excitement. Enjoying the company of her friends at the building’s opening, she shared how much she loved the new space and the close-knit community that has always made the program feel like home.

“I was so happy when I heard they were opening this place in Drexel,” she said. “It means everything to be with people you know and love in a space that feels good.”

The Adult Day Center remains one of the most impactful programs offered by BRCA, supported through a combination of funding sources including Veterans Affairs and the Community Alternatives Program.

“This transition has strengthened our ability to serve our community, and we remain committed to providing high-quality care and services to our seniors,” Lail said.