IN Fox Chapel Area Winter 2016 | Page 69

SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING will help you determine which of the three main types of adult day care centers (social, health-focused, and Alzheimer’s/dementia oriented) will best serve you. Is an adult day care center right for my loved one? Good candidates for adult day care centers are seniors who: • Can benefit from the friendship and functional assistance a day care center offers • May be physically or cognitively challenged but do not require 24-hour supervision • Are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease • Are mobile, with the possible assistance of a cane, walker, or wheelchair • Are continent (in most cases) When to opt for an adult day care center As a senior, it can be challenging to admit that you need help, especially if you’ve been a highly independent person used to caring for others all your life. And if you’re the caregiver, it may be equally difficult to consider allowing “strangers” to care for your beloved family member. As with any service, the best time to start exploring what’s available is before you a