A Feb. 5 luncheon to benefit Elder and Adult Day Services raises more than $40,000 for the agency’s scholarship fund.

The 25th anniversary celebration was at the Golf Club at Newcastle.

“Fundraising is critical for EADS” said Jan Nestler, Founder and Executive Director of EADS. “In almost all cases, the amount paid for our services (either by Medicaid or private pay) does not cover our cost of caring for the participant.”

In 2008, EADS provided over $500,000 in uncompensated care, Nestler said.

The event’s speaker, Dr. John Medina, author of “Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home and School, spoke about new findings connecting activities such as exercise to increased cognitive function.

Established in 1984, Elder and Adult Day Services has provided relief to caregivers by offering day health programs to care for the needs of frail seniors and developmentally disabled adults. The centers, located in Bellevue, Issaquah, Des Moines and Bainbridge Island, are the only day health programs in the state that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), meeting rigorous guidelines for service and quality.