Joanne Boyle is Day Break’s luckiest player.

She wins almost every time that she and others at the Adult Day Services and Respite Care Center head off to a casino. The once-a-month field trip is a hit with the 10 or so adults who spend time at the center in Oak Harbor.

At age 77 and using a wheelchair because a stroke paralyzed one side of her body, Boyle doesn’t see herself slowing down any time soon.

“I’m sassy as can be,” she chuckled.

Three times a week she rides Island paratransit from her home to visit with her friends at Day Break.

“We have a good time,” she said.

She said the activities and outings enable her to continue to live as she chooses — independently. She has seven children, some of whom live nearby and help with the chores she can no longer manage.

Day Break staff are committed to improving the lives of their clients.

“It’s like our extended family. We take care of them as if they are our own loved ones,” said Jami Duchesne, outreach coordinator for the center.

The atmosphere is welcoming in the comfy building next to the Oak Harbor Senior Center. Furnished in a homely manner, the decor includes items made by the daily inhabitants. The coffee pot is always on, a snack is always on the counter and an activity is always in progress,

Duchesne said the socialization and activities that help clients retain their mental and physical skills enable them to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible.

Some folks may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or they may be developmentally or physically challenged. Some just need companionship.

The Day Break weekly calendar includes time for reminiscing, current events, puzzles, games, crafts, music therapy, exercise, intergenerational activities, meals and snacks.

Some people like a structured day, while others just want to relax. But the two or three monthly trips are are a hit with everyone, as is monthly foot care, Duchesne said.

“We not only take care of our clients, we take care of their families,” she added.

Duchesne also runs a support group for caregivers that meets monthly.

Day Break got off to a modest start in 1994 when it opened at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. In 2001, the program moved into the modular home purchased by Island Thrift.

Eventually, plans call for incorporating Day Break into an expansion of the Senior Center, said Roxann Dunn-Terry, interim manager of the senior center.

With a membership of 1,800 and a busy schedule, the senior center could use extra office and classroom space, she said.

Day Break’s fees are $8.50 per hour, with state and federal financial aid available for those who qualify. The modest fees are possible because the program is supported by a combination of city, county, state and federal funding, plus fund-raisers and donations. The annual budget runs about $80,000 per year.

Day Break and a similar program at Bayview are open to all Whidbey Island residents. Tuesdays and Fridays are almost full at Day Break, but with extra help the center could handle more people.

Why is Day Break so popular?

“It’s a home away from home,” Boyle said.