When Monica Tobias was 9 years old, she dreamed of opening an adult day care when she grew up. “My dad depended on me to help take care of my Paw Paw, and my love and appreciation for the elderly began to flourish during that time. We would drop-off my sibling at day care, and I would ask Dad why we couldn’t drop-off Paw Paw too. He explained to me that adults didn’t go to day care. At that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up,” she explained. 

Fast forward to 2015, and OurTime Adult Day Care Services opened in Bentonia, MS, and moved to the Jackson Medical Mall in 2019. OurTime is a community-based program designed to meet the needs of functionality-impaired, elderly adults via an individual plan of care. Their plans are structured and comprehensive, and they provide a variety of health, social, and recreational related services in a safe space every day. A registered nurse, a social worker, a driver, and a certified nurses assistant are on staff daily including the owner. CEO and Founder Monica Tobias attended Jackson State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a master’s degree in Public Health. She also worked with veterans for many years. “I have a true love and passion for taking care of seniors, and it’s imperative that we keep them engaged,” she said. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, OurTime is going above and beyond to make sure their clients are safe. The on-duty Registered Nurse administers a specimen collection when people enter the facility. “The R.N. checks temperatures and asks a series of questions pertaining to recent travel, overall well-being, and more. Also, each person is asked to wash their hands thoroughly before they sit down,” said Tobias. Seating has been rearranged to promote social distancing, and physical interaction is limited during daily activities. Therefore, they utilize apps and verbal games more during this time. 

Mrs. Tobias was recently nominated for Business Woman of the Year by Business Empowered Mississippi, and OurTime was awarded Small Business of the Year by Business Empowered Mississippi. Mrs. Tobias will receive this award on behalf of her business in late August. Also, a contract is in the works currently with the Department of Veteran Affairs to accept benefits for veterans in the near future. 

“Our motto is… they took care of us, so let’s take care of them! My dad told me this a long time ago, and it stuck with me forever.”