Memory loss almost never comes on its own. It shares the body with diabetes, high blood pressure, and a list of medications that have to be timed correctly. That is why a licensed nurse works on the floor every day at all three of our Dallas-Fort Worth day centers. Families choose Friends Place over an ordinary sitter because their loved one’s health stays under clinical watch from arrival to pickup, which is what makes it safe for a person with real medical needs to spend the day out of a nursing home.
Health, Care, and Wellness at Friends Place Across Dallas-Fort Worth
What our nurse manages each day
Our health program runs under a licensed nurse at each center, backed by staff certified in CPR and first aid. Across the day we handle medication management on each member’s exact schedule, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight checks, oxygen support and help with prescribed treatments, and a close watch on mood, alertness, and physical health. Instead of hoping someone at home remembers the noon dose, you know a nurse gives it, records it, and watches how your loved one responds.
Care that partners with your own doctors
We see ourselves as one link in a larger care team. When a member’s numbers drift or their appetite shifts, we flag it to the family and coordinate with their physician. That extra set of trained eyes often catches a urinary tract infection, a bad medication reaction, or early dehydration before it becomes a hospital stay.
A contracted VA provider for area veterans
Dallas-Fort Worth is home to many who served, and for their families the health program matters most. Friends Place is a contracted provider with the VA North Texas Health Care System, and eligible veterans may attend at no cost, nurse-led care included. Mention your loved one’s service when you tour and we will help you find out what is covered.
The same nurse-led standard at all three centers
We run this program the same way at each location. See how health and wellness work at our Richardson day center, our DeSoto day center, or our Plano day center. Between them, we serve families across Dallas-Fort Worth, from Plano, Allen, and McKinney in the north to Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Lancaster in the south.
Why Dallas-Fort Worth families hand us the clinical side
Since 2005 we have cared for members whose needs run well past company and a warm meal. A licensed nurse is present every day at each center, our 1:5 ratio means a change in condition gets noticed early, and staff are trained in both dementia care and the illnesses that travel with it. When you leave your loved one with us, you get a real account of their day, not a shrug at the door.
Our Wellness Program: Mind, Body and Spirit
All of the programs and services at Friends Place Adult Day Services, in Richardson, DeSoto and Plano, are based on a wellness philosophy of care. Positive health principles are woven into planned activities connecting the mind, body and spirit. The goal of our program is to attain the best quality of life and create a sense of well-being for each and every one of our members.
Our wellness program is designed to be proactive and preventative to achieve and/or maintain an optimal level of physical, intellectual and emotional wellness.
Physical Wellness
The program emphasizes preventing illness and health concerns more than just an absence of disease.
- Exercise twice daily: group fitness, chair exercise, dancing, sports and physical games
- Improves cardiovascular capacity
- Improves flexibility in the arms and legs
- Improves balance and mobility
- Strengthens core muscles
- Enhances nighttime sleeping
- Music and Dancing, including live entertainment (see our recreational and therapeutic activities)
- Rhythmic cues stimulate the brain's motor system, helping those with Parkinson's and movement disorders
- Improves self-esteem
- Reduces stress and feelings of depression
- Walking and Movement
- Centers and programs are designed to promote and encourage walking and movement throughout the day
- Interactive games for active indoor sports and play
- Outdoor areas accommodate walking and physical activities
- Maintains mobility and flexibility
- Promotes good digestion
- Dietary and Hydration Program (see our nutrition and dietary services)
- Scheduled as an activity to ensure good hydration: juice and water are served at least three times each day
- Salads are served daily with a hot, nutritious lunch, with menus reviewed by a licensed dietitian
Intellectual Wellness
A daily focus on keeping the mind active as well as slowing the progression of disease.
- Word games, trivia, current event discussion groups, puzzles, debates, reminiscing, bingo and card games
- Maintain language skills adversely affected by dementia
- Strengthen memory retrieval and retention skills
- Mind Fitness Program: for members in the early stages, with art appreciation, language class, book club and a daily group crossword
- Life-long learning
- Challenges the mind with intellectual and creative pursuits
- Members learn memory tips and strategies
- Improves cognitive functioning
- Music therapy programs and a daily sing-along
- Boosts memory
- Retains language skills
- Daily exercises that improve cognitive function
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness, good health for the soul, can be found in music, laughter, dance, therapy dog visits, intergenerational programs and other activities that encourage socialization.
- Opportunity to enjoy living in the moment
- Positive changes in mood and emotions
- Promotes a state of harmony with self and others
- Allows everyone to practice acceptance
- Creates feelings of joy, fulfillment and personal contentment
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A licensed nurse is present every day each center is open, supported by CPR and first-aid certified staff, handling medications, monitoring, and any health concern that comes up.
We can. Our nurse gives medications on schedule, records them, and watches how your loved one responds, so nothing rests on memory or guesswork at home.
Alongside Alzheimer’s and dementia, we support members managing diabetes, blood pressure, oxygen needs, and Parkinson’s. Share the details on a tour and our nurse will tell you honestly whether we fit.
Friends Place is a VA North Texas contracted provider, and eligible veterans may attend at no cost through their benefits. We will help you check what your loved one qualifies for.
Our Richardson center covers the north metro and Collin County, our Plano center serves west Plano, Frisco, The Colony and McKinney, and our DeSoto center covers the Best Southwest and southern Dallas County. Together we reach families across Dallas-Fort Worth.