IN Norwin Winter 2016 | Page 33

• 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

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
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 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-the-clock care.”
For the participant, an adult day care
center’s benefits can be extensive:

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.

Costs and financial assistance
for adult day care
In the U.S., the average cost for an adult day
care center is about $64 per day, depending on
where you live and the services provided (e.g.,
meals, transportation, nursing supervision).
Professional health care services will mean
higher fees. Many facilities offer services on a
sliding fee scale, meaning that what you pay is
based on your income and ability to pay.
While Medicare does not cover adult day
care centers, Medicaid will pay most or all
of the costs in licensed adult day health care
settings and Alzheimer’s-focused centers for
participants with very low income and few
assets. Be sure to ask about financial assistance
and possible scholarships.
Private medical insurance policies
sometimes cover a portion of adult day
care center costs when licensed medical
professionals are involved in the care. Longterm care insurance may also pay for adult
day services, depending on the policy.
Additionally, dependent-care tax credits may
be available to the caregiver. n
© Helpguide.org. Helpguide.org is a trusted nonprofit
guide to mental health and well-being.

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,
health-focused, and Alzheimer’s/dementia
oriented) will best serve you.

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