SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING
day care offers a win/win situation for everyone in the family—not
only the client or member who attends the program, but also for the
family member who has primary responsibility as caregiver. Adult
day care provides a much-needed respite for the caregiver, affording a
break from the physical demands and stress of providing round-theclock care.”
For the participant, an adult day care center’s benefits can be
extensive:
• A safe, secure environment in which to spend the day
• Enjoyable and educational activities
• Improvement in mental and physical health
• Enhanced or maintained level of independence
• Socialization and peer support
• Nutritious meals and snacks
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 actually need it. According to ElderCare Online, you
should seriously consider using adult day care when a senior:
• Can no longer structure his or her own daily activities
• Is isolated and desires companionship
• Can’t be safely left alone at home
• Lives with someone who works outside the home or who is
frequently away from home for other reasons
Finding the right adult day care center for your
family’s needs
The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
recommends you start by asking yourself what specific services
both the senior adult and the caregiver need most. For the day
care participant, are social activities primary? Assistance with
walking, eating or medications? Mental stimulation? Exercise? As a
caregiver, is support what you need most? Some free time? Help with
transportation? Answering these questions will help you determine
which of the three main types of adult day care centers (social, healthfocused, and Alzheimer’s/dementia oriented) will best serve you.
Where to locate adult day care centers
For assistance in finding local centers, you can try:
• Your family doctor
• Local social services or health department
• Mental health centers
• Local senior center
• Area Agency on Aging in the U.S. (Call 1.800.677.1116 for the
AAA in your area.)
• Yellow Pages listings under Adult Day Care, Aging Services,
Senior Citizens’ Services, and similar categories
Questions to ask an adult day care center provider
When you contact the adult day care center(s) you’ve chosen to
consider, NADSA suggests asking the following questions:
• Who owns or sponsors the adult day care center?
• How long has it been operating?
• Is it licensed or certified (if required in your country or state)?
• What are the days and hours of operation?
• Is transportation to and from the adult day care center provided?
• Which conditions are accepted (e.g., memory loss, limited
mobility, incontinence)?
• What are the staff ’s credentials, and what is the ratio of staff to
participants?
• What activities are offered? Are there a variety of individual and
group programs?
• Are meals and snacks included? Are special diets accommodated?
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