SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING
services specifically for seniors with Alzheimer’s or a related type of
dementia.
Services provided by adult day care centers
A well-run adult day care center’s goals will focus on enriching
the participants’ lives, building upon their skills, knowledge, and
unique abilities and strengths. Below are some of the activities that
may be available:
• Arts and crafts
• Musical entertainment and sing-a-longs
• Mental stimulation games such as bingo
• Stretching or other gentle exercise
• Discussion groups (books, films, current events)
• Holiday and birthday celebrations
• Local outings
• A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
• A center director
• Centers that serve a large number of participants may also
employ a driver, secretary, and accountant.
Source: National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
Some centers offer programs that include children. Besides
recreational activities, some adult day care centers provide
transportation to and from the center, social services including
counseling and support groups for caregivers, and health support
services such as blood pressure monitoring and vision screening.
Benefits of adult day care
Almost Family, an adult day care center provider in both the U.S.
and Canada, summarizes the benefits of adult day care well: “Adult
Continued on next page ➢
Adult day care center vs. adult day health care
A social adult day care center differs from adult day health care,
which usually requires a health assessment by a physician before
someone is admitted into the program. Adult day health centers,
which typically use the term “Adult Day Health Care” (ADHC)
in their names, often provide physical, occupational, and speech
therapy, and are usually staffed with an RN and other health
professionals. A third type of day care provides social and health
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