Genacta opens new ‘Day Habilitation Center’

WASILLA — Genacta In-Home Care held a grand opening July 17 for the company’s new Day Habilitation Center, located downtown at the corner of Knik Street and Nelson Avenue.

The Day Habilitation Center is filled with a number of different activity rooms, as well as executive offices for company use. It features a computer lab, game room, kitchen, arts and crafts center, and a relaxation station. Visitors to the center can enjoy a game of foosball, learn how to type on one of three personal computers, or put together a puzzle.

Despite operating in Alaska for around 15 years and within the Valley area for five, Genacta’s new activity center is the first concrete location for the company in Wasilla, as well as its flagship day habilitation center. The health care provider has locations in Anchorage and Soldotna, though Wasilla is the first and only site with an activity center.

According to program director Jeanne Owen, Genacta decided to open the center as a result of surveying its employees and clients. Owen said that most of the company’s personnel and clientele felt there was a lack of activities to do in the area, specifically during harsh winter months. In response to that feedback, Genacta wanted to create a space where people could always find something to do.

Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, the center is available for use by anyone who receives waiver care or needs day habilitation services, even if he/she is not a Genacta client.

“(The Day Habiliation Center) is there to serve our community more than it is our wallets,” Owen said.

Since its opening, the activity center has already seen its fair share of visitors, Owen said. One group came in to use the computers before seeking rest in the relaxation station, while another party of guests bowled a few games on the Nintendo Wii.

According to Owen, the company plans to build a calendar of special activities at the center for the month of August, by first gauging interest in certain ideas. With activities like yoga on the list of possibilities, Genacta hopes to offer fun events at a minimal cost, if any at all.

In addition to being an activity center, Genacta’s new location also serves as an office for the company’s coordinators and directors. While the building hosts around 10 Genacta employees, service coordinator Phil Cooper said the center also will allow the company to observe and improve upon day habilitation methods.

The new Genacta location also functions as a center for business, as well as a way to attract and help potential customers. Genacta previously relied on client testimonials to bring in new customers, a function of the company’s belief in the quality of its services, according to Cooper.

“(President Jerry Isolokwu) believes that if Genacta provides good service, then our clients will share that,” Cooper said. “Obviously that’s working, because we’re booming.”

That confidence in Genacta’s care is evident in anyone who knows about the company. Even one of the Day Habilitation Center’s new neighbors was excited to see the opening of the new location. Virgil Miller, who works at Sitting Swan Acupuncture, had only good things to say about the business.

“They’re providing really good service to the community,” Miller said.

For more information, visit genacta.com or call 631-3078.

Contact Kaden Weaver at 352-2270 or kaden.weaver@frontiersman.com.