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:
• 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
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