Waterford Township Officials Vote to End Encore Day Program for Dependent Adults
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 28, 2025)
Waterford, MI – Waterford Township Officials have voted to end operating a day program for dependent adults and caregivers. According to a statement released Wednesday:
“With thoughtful consideration and heartfelt reflection, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to close the Encore Adult Day Services Program effective August 27, 2025. This program has played an important role in supporting the needs of older adults in Waterford and neighboring communities, as well as providing respite to caregivers; For that, we remain grateful to the program itself, its participants, and our dedicated and passionate employees.
“This decision was not made lightly. Following a thorough third-party evaluation, it has become evident that Waterford Township can no longer sustain the Encore program while upholding the standards of safety, quality care, and operational excellence we strive for. Since assuming operation of the Leggett Campus in January 2025, we’ve invested considerable time and resources to improve services. However, persistent challenges—ranging from staffing levels, certification, and participant elopement, to building design, fire codes, and funding—have made it increasingly unmanageable.
“We recognize the impact this closure may have and are committed to working closely with those affected to provide guidance and support during this transition. Our priority remains the well-being of the individuals and families who have relied on this program, while also protecting the interests of the entire Waterford community from legal liability.
With this decision, we will immediately discontinue enrolling new participants and work with staff to carry out a transition plan over the next 90 days, including providing participants and their families with contacts to locate alternative care.
“Additional information:
The Encore Adult Day Care Program provides supervision, services and activities for older adults with memory loss, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and/or physical disabilities who are unable to initiate their own actives or stay home alone.
“The decision to discontinue the program was made at a public meeting of the Waterford Township Board of Trustees on May 27, 2025. The motion was approved by a 5-0 vote of the board, with two members absent, and the motion reads: “Motion to have the Encore program previously provided by Waterford Schools and now provided by Waterford Township, since January 2025, for the reasons explained by attorney Gillooly. The program will be shut down by August 27th, 2025 unless additional time is needed to accommodate any contractual requirements. However, the program may end sooner if there is inadequate staffing to operate the program.”
According to their website, Encore – located at the Leggett Campus, 3621 Pontiac lake Road, offers professional care and supervision, a comfortable and safe environment with a wander guard door alarm, nutritious meals and snacks, and a number of activities including music, exercise, cooking, games, memory stimulation, crafts, and more. They also provide caregiver support groups and information referrals through AgeWays.
More info on the program can be found at https://www.waterfordmi.gov/227/Lifelong-Recreation
