A member tending the roses on the side porch in the late afternoon light

Adult day program · Jefferson, Texas

The prettiest weekday in Marion County.

Sweetgum House is an adult day program in an 1880s house on Alley Street: a nurse on site, lunch in the dining room, music in the parlor and a lift van home before supper.

Our house

Tall windows, a wraparound porch, and a table for everyone.

Celeste Broussard grew up two streets over and spent twenty-five years as a nurse in Longview and Marshall. When the old Bramlett house came up for sale in 2011, she saw what the rest of us saw driving by: a porch made for sitting and a parlor made for company.

Our members are retired teachers and riverboat history buffs, deacons and Sunday-school pianists, a few gentlemen who still tip their hats. They come for the company, the music and Miss Odessa's lunch. Their families send them because a nurse is down the hall and somebody is always paying attention.

— Celeste Broussard, RN, founder

Members and staff gathered on the garden patio

What sets us apart

Where we shine

The noon blood pressure check
01

Nursing oversight and noon medications

Blood pressure, blood sugar and a handwritten note home each afternoon.

Included
Lunch in the dining room with real china
02

Lunch in the dining room

Cloth napkins, real china and Miss Odessa's cooking. Peach cobbler on Fridays.

Included
Music at the parlor piano
03

Music in the parlor

Hymns, standards and the occasional Patsy Cline, at the old upright piano.

Daily
  • 1884the year the house was built
  • 28members on a typical day
  • 5:1members to staff
  • 12years on Alley Street

Sample family reviews

Kind words from families

Mother was a piano teacher for fifty years. Now she plays the upright in the parlor every afternoon, and people sing along. She tells me she 'has a standing engagement.'
Claire B.Daughter of a member
Daddy wears a tie to Sweetgum House. Nobody asked him to. He just thinks a house that nice deserves it.
Ron T.Son of a member
Celeste called me at work because Mama seemed more tired than usual. It was a urinary infection. We caught it before it turned into a hospital stay.
Denise W.Daughter of a member
My husband has Parkinson's and I had not had a full day to myself in three years. Now I have three a week.
Gail M.Wife of a member
Miss Odessa makes my grandmother's birthday cake every year. Coconut. She remembered without being asked.
Ashley R.Granddaughter of a member
It does not feel like a program. It feels like going to visit a friend with a very good cook.
Harold J.Member, three days a week

Ratings & recognition · sample

  • Readers' Choice · Best Adult Day Program
  • County Chamber · Small Business of the Year
  • Historical Society · Restoration Award
  • Area Agency on Aging · Community Partner
  • Local Hospital · Preferred Day Program

Our team

The people of the house

Celeste Broussard, RN, Founder and director

Celeste Broussard, RN

Founder and director

A nurse for twenty-five years in Longview and Marshall, Celeste opened Sweetgum House in the town where she grew up.

  • Geriatric nursing
  • Family support
Yolanda Pierce, LVN, Nurse

Yolanda Pierce, LVN

Nurse

Yolanda runs the medication pass and knows every member's blood pressure by heart.

  • Medications
  • Diabetes care
Odessa Lewis, Cook

Odessa Lewis

Cook

Thirty years in church and school kitchens. Her cobbler has a waiting list.

  • Southern cooking
  • Special diets
Marisa Delgado, Activities director

Marisa Delgado

Activities director

A former music teacher who plays the parlor piano and runs the Wednesday tea.

  • Music
  • Crafts
Wendell Hayes, Driver

Wendell Hayes

Driver

Wendell drives the morning route and helps every member up the porch ramp.

  • Transportation
  • Safe transfers

For families

For the family at home

The practical side of a day at Sweetgum House.

  1. 01

    Mornings

    Doors open at 7:30. Walk your member up the porch or let the van bring them; someone is always at the door to say good morning.

  2. 02

    The afternoon note

    Every member goes home with a handwritten note: what they ate, what they did and anything our nurse noticed.

  3. 03

    Medicines

    Send noon medicines in the pharmacy bottle. Our nurse logs every dose.

  4. 04

    Days off

    Call by 7 a.m. if your member is staying home. Hospital stays and trips never cost you a place.

Now hiring

Good people make Sweetgum House Adult Day. We are hiring for every shift.

Visit

Find us on Alley Street

Tour & office hours

  • Program, Mon – Fri7:30a – 5:30p
  • Tours, Mon – Fri10a – 2p
  • Families drop inAny time we are open

Lunch is at noon. Your chair is waiting.

Bring your mother or your dad for a visit day, our treat. Call or text Celeste and we'll set it up.