Do you have an aging loved one that needs assistance or supervision during the day while you’re at work, in school or doing errands? If you do, an adult day care might be a good care option for your senior loved one. Adult day care centers provide care for seniors during the day, which can often help delay the need to move seniors into assisted living facilities.
In This Adult Day Care Article
What Is Adult Day Care
Basic Adult Day Care Services
Selecting The Right Adult Day Care
Types of Adult Day Care
Benefits of Adult Day Care Services
Disadvantages of Adult Day Care
What Is Adult Day Care?
Adult day care programs can be stand-alone facilities or may be located in senior centers, places of worship, nursing facilities or hospitals. Adult Day Care provides care and supervision for seniors during typical working hours – Monday through Friday. However, some adult day care facilities are open in the evenings and on weekends.
An Adult Day Program provides supervision and social activities, medication monitoring, meals and socialization opportunities for seniors. Adult day care facilities also provide the opportunity for family caregivers to continue their regular employment, attend school, run errands or take care of a family business while providing a safe, supervised environment where their senior loved one can socialize and receive the level of care they need.
Basic adult day care services:
- Exercise and Wellness Programs
- Social and Recreational Activities
- Meal Service
- Basic health services like medication assistance and monitoring
- Transportation services
- Assistance with Activities of Daily Living- help with eating, toileting, grooming and other personal care during the day
Selecting The Right Adult Day Care
When selecting the type of adult day service that is right for you and your loved one, you will have the option to choose between a social adult care program or a medical adult day service program. Social programs provide meals, activities, supervision, medication monitoring and, sometimes, transportation, exercise and basic health services. Adult day health care programs provide more extensive health care services, such as physical therapy, counseling and medical care.
Here are the 3 general Types of Adult Day Care Centers
- Social– offers meal services, social and recreational activities and basic health-related services.
- Medical or Health Program– offers social and recreational activities that include extensive health care services, such as physical therapy, counseling and medical care.
- Specialized Adult Day Programs– offers adult day services that are specialized for disabled seniors and for those diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
Once you’ve decided on the type of Adult Day Care facility that fits your loved ones care needs, it will be helpful to tour several care facilities first before committing. This will allow you to compare and evaluate the different services, activities and programs that are offered by the adult day care centers in your area.
Make sure you and your loved one feel comfortable with the staff, other participants and the environment. Ask questions to learn more about how experienced the staff is, which services are provided, and whether or not your loved one’s particular needs can be met.
Pros and Cons of Adult Day Care
Adult Day Care programs offer several benefits, including:
- Prevention or delay of the need for assisted living
- The ability for caregivers to work, run errands, go to school or perform other tasks during the day.
- A safe, supportive environment where the senior is supervised and well cared for.
- Basic medical health services, including but not limited to Physical therapy, counseling, exercise or medical care, (depending on the type of facility chosen.)
- The opportunity for the senior to socialize with peers, participate in activities and get out of the house.
- Much-needed respite care that allows primary caregivers to maintain their well-being and reduce caregiving stress.
There is also some potential to have negative experiences with adult care programs, including:
- Undertrained staff
- A lack of consistent licensing or regulation in different states.
- Programs that do not provide the services your loved one needs.
- The inability to accommodate special dietary needs.
- The cost of care can be pricey, which can range from $25 to more than $100 per day.
To avoid these negative issues be sure to do your research. You should also contact the adult day care facility for any questions and concerns you may have to ensure that your loved one’s care needs can be met.
If you are not sure your budget can handle this additional expense, contact Medicaid to discuss income requirements to possibly receive assistance. You can also contact your local senior services agency to find out if there are programs in your area that offer services on a sliding scale or that provide partial payment for this type of care.
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Catharine “Kate” is a Certified Administrator for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and an Expert Senior Care Advisor. Kate’s grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease and Kate personally understands what millions of families are going through. Kate and her team are very passionate in empowering Seniors and their families by providing them with the Best Available Senior Care Options based on Senior’s care needs, preferred location and family’s budget.
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