Medical Day Services - Maryland

  Chimes began in 1947 as Maryland’s first school for children with moderate mental retardation. As its students graduated, the need became apparent for programs geared to helping them adjust as adults. Chimes responded by expanding into two areas: vocational training and employment, and medical day habilitation for people for whom employment was not a priority.

Today, Chimes has extensive programs and supports in both areas, and our ability to serve people with the most serious disabilities has been greatly strengthened by our 1998 merger with Intervals, a provider for individuals with severe medical and physical needs.

Our day habilitation services are now centered in two facilities: the Intervals Day Habilitation Center, a $4.1 million state-of-the-art facility for people who are medically fragile and have major physical and mental challenges; and the Terry Allen Perl Center, which offers a day habilitation regimen that supports people with severe disabilities, people with vocational potential, and people who have chosen to retire.

Our programs in those facilities fall into three categories:


  Medical Day Habilitation at the Intervals Day Habilitation Center

The Intervals Day Habilitation Center was created especially for people whose developmental disabilities are complicated by severe physical limitations and/or complex medical conditions. In addition to many of the medical day habilitation services provided by our other medical day habilitation programs, Intervals offers advanced features that include:

  • The MOVE curriculum, a structured program that teaches people to sit, stand, and walk with specialized adaptive equipment. The physical layout of the facility encourages movement.
  • Environmental accessibility, which means such things as greater maneuverability, adaptive equipment in bathrooms, and entrance areas protected from the elements.
  • A wheelchair garden, courtyard, and outdoor recreation area, where participants can learn new skills, socialize, and enjoy a welcome change of environment.
The Intervals Center does not offer a Saturday program.
  Medical Day Habilitation at the Terry Allen Perl Center

This program addresses communication, socialization, physical, mental, and behavioral needs. Its participants concentrate on:

  • Self-care skills
  • Personal hygiene
  • Eating skills
  • Community involvement
  • Leisure activities
  • Food preparation skills

Some may also enter our pre-vocational program, where they learn such basic skills as collating and manipulating small items, recognizing colors, and functioning in a simulated work environment.

The following trained professionals are available to provide supportive services:

  • Registered nurse
  • Psychologist
  • Physician
  • Psychology associates
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Nutritionist
  • Social worker
  • Case managers
Behavioral difficulties are addressed through the therapeutic interventions of crisis management and counseling. We also have multi-sensory stimulation rooms, where a soothing combination of sound, scent, color, and light brings about a calmer state and a more receptive frame of mind. In addition to the regular Monday-to-Friday schedule, the Perl Center has a Saturday program that offers enjoyable, unstructured, creative activities and gives eligible participants the chance to spend more time in the community.



The Older Adults Program at the Terry Allen Perl Center

This program is open to seniors with developmental disabilities. Staff are responsive to the needs of people with long-standing disabilities or those who have experienced recent changes such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. There are several concentrations of activities:

  • A phased retirement plan to ease the transition from work to a more leisurely lifestyle.
  • Skills maintenance, aimed at retaining the current level of physical skills and intellectual activity.
  • Reality orientation, e.g., watching newscasts and discussing them, attending outside events for seniors.
  • A monthly support group to discuss personal problems. Eligible participants are welcome to join the Saturday program at the Perl Center.

An Open Door

Chimes welcomes inquiries and visits from families and caregivers looking for a day habilitation program. To schedule a tour or obtain other information, please call the Admissions Coordinator at 410-521-1666.