Opening its doors in 1985, Prime Time Adult Care, 44 Highland Road in Bethel Park, is celebrating its 40th anniversary of service as a premier adult day program.

Prime Time Adult Care provides day services (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for older adults and those with developmental issues that aren’t in long-term residential care. It’s meant to support family caregivers and provide an engaging space for clients.

Beginning as a ministry of Christ United Methodist Church, it has since separated as its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “While it started out as a church-based program, now it really is for the whole community,” said board co-president and Longuevue Drive resident Stacy Dee.

Dee has worked with Prime Time for years, falling in love with its mission and staff. “It’s so incredible what is done here,” she said.

Staff and volunteers run a variety of social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual programming.

Executive director Heather Deerfield explains, “we have a goal of enhancing mental older cognition, so we offer a lot of brain games and hand-eye coordination games.”

Clients attend daytime programming and return home to their families at night. “Our focus isn’t just on the participant, it’s also very much on the family members who are the caregivers and are in much need of respite,” said Deerfield.

Teresa McColey’s husband, Carl, is a Prime Time client. Carl has frontotemporal dementia and requires extra care. The McColeys discovered adult day programs through a cognitive therapist in Philadelphia and were delighted to find Prime Time when they moved back to Pittsburgh.

“He goes there during the day, and the staff are incredibly kind and compassionate,” she said. Teresa said Prime Time cares deeply and genuinely for each of their clients. “I’m not sure what I’d do without them.”

Dee is amazed at the remarkable growth Prime Time has achieved over the years. “When you hear from the participants, the families and former families, it’s life-altering,” she said.

“Prime Time Adult Care has been here for 40 years, enabling people to remain with their loved ones in their homes but still get the support that they need,” said Dee.

Deerfield joined the Prime Time team this year and was struck by the “incredibly skilled and committed staff,” she said. “Forty years is a big feather in our cap because our clients trust that we are going to do the best we can for them.”

“I can’t tell you how committed the staff are to these clients and what they’re doing here,” Dee agreed. “I fell in love with the mission, it’s so incredible what is done here.”

Two other Mt. Lebanon residents serve on the volunteer board, and more are welcome to join. Information for volunteers, partnerships and donations can be found at primetimeadultcare.com.

For information on adult care services, call 412-835-6661 or email director@primetimeadultcare.com.