NIU VALLEY — Sitting at round tables inside the Kilohana Senior Enrichment Center, groups of men and women in their 80s watch as one by one their tablemates dig their hands into bowls of white rice searching for paper clips in a game designed to increase their sensory perception and build teamwork.

Wearing a blindfold makes the game especially challenging, said program director Bonnie Ho.

This is just one of the many activities planned for this day at the senior citizen adult daycare center, which will mark its first anniversary next week.

The year-old center is the brainchild of Kilohana United Methodist Church, which recognized that people are living longer and that extended families need help.

The 3,000-square-foot center at the church's campus near Kalaniana'ole Highway has about 32 senior citizens enrolled and approximately 18 to 22 come every day. Most who attend are in their mid-80s and many live with their children, Ho said. The church, which also runs a preschool, converted some classroom space into the senior center.

Most of the senior citizens are there because their families worry about them being alone all day, she said.

"It's mostly a safety and socialization issue," Ho said. "The senior citizen is often alone during the day and only has the television for entertainment. Here, they're safe and we have activities for them and meals. No one has to worry about them here."

You don't have to tell that to Josephine Chang. Her 88-year-old mother, Vicky Chang, looks forward to going to the center.

"She calls it her school," Josephine Chang said. "She enjoys herself here. She has even made a best friend."

That's a welcome change for Chang's mother, who had been lonely and sad since her husband died.

"Now she feels like she has her own life with people her own age," Chang said.

Vicky Chang agrees. "I like the companionship," she said. "I don't have to bring a book here. There's enough to keep me busy."

The church started planning for the daycare facility seven years ago. In 2002, the church raised the $500,000 it needed to build the full kitchen, a lounge area for napping seniors and a multi-purpose area for table games and watching TV.

Kilohana's center and the Lunalilo Home in Hawai'i Kai are the only two daytime drop-off senior care facilities in East Honolulu. Others on O'ahu, include the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, which is run by Catholic Charities Hawai'i along with facilities in Kane'ohe, Kalihi and Pearl City.

"Most of our families say the center gives them respite from caring for their parents," Ho said. "After a day here, the senior citizens sleep better at night and have a lot more to talk about."

Census figures show that 13 percent of Hawai'i Kai residents are 65 or older. In the area from Kalani Iki to Kuli'ou'ou, the figure is 21 percent; in Kahala, 24 percent.

"It keeps our minds busy with all kinds of activities," said Anita Johnston, who is 85. "They keep us busy all the time. I can't take a nap."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.