Vashon Community Care will close its adult day health program, Break Time, at the end of the month with the hope of bringing it back in the future.

The program, which has served the island since 1989, offers care, companionship and activities for island adults of all ages who cannot be on their own safely or comfortably and provides respite for their caregivers. The program is licensed for 12 individuals, but participation has dropped, and recently only two people have been attending — making the program financially unsustainable, care center officials say. Dax Dowling, the center’s administrator, said he intends to talk with others on the island, including the Vashon Senior Center, and gather information in an effort to make the program successful again.

Dowling noted the staff and board made the decision to suspend the program with regret, but felt it was necessary financially.

“We were deeply saddened we had to go down that road,” he said. “We know the importance of such a program for our local community.”

He added he does not have a schedule in mind for when the program might be re-launched, but will wait until he feels he is has a sustainable model that will serve the community.

“We do not have any time frames,” he said. “When we bring it back, we want to be sure that it will be successful.”

Most recently, the program has been available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, said Cara Aguilera, the adult day program manager, though at other times it has been open four and five days a week, and for a time the center also experimented with offering extended hours.

Those who attend can exercise and participate in art, music and inter-generational projects.

“It gives people a full day and something to look forward to,” she said.

Currently, staff are trying to help the families who used the program find other options for care.

Aguilera, who has been with the program since it moved to Vashon Community Care in 2003, noted that no one will lose their jobs because of this decision. Though sad about the decision, she agreed it was necessary.

“We are trying every way we can to ensure that we are able to be financially sustainable,” she said.

She encouraged any islanders who are interested in the program to call Dowling at 567-4421.

— Susan Riemer