IN Sewickley Winter 2016 | Page 44

SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING
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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Visiting an adult day care
center
Spend a day at the adult day care center
that sounds best to you, so you can get a
“feel” for the people and the environment.
Also, check out references. Talk to others
who have used the adult day care center and
ask for their opinions.
You may wish to try out different adult
day care centers a few times each to see
whether your experience on different days
confirms your initial impressions. Be sure to
bring the following site visit checklist with
you each time.
Adult day care center site visit
checklist:
• Did you feel welcome?
• Were the center services and activities
properly explained?
• Were you given information regarding
staffing, programming, and costs?
• Is the facility clean, pleasant, and free of
odor?
• Is the building and site wheelchair
accessible?
• Is the furniture sturdy and comfortable?
• Are there loungers and chairs with arms
for relaxation?
• Is there a quiet place in the center?
• Did the staff and participants seem
cheerful and comfortable?
• Are participants involved in planning
activities?

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.
Long-term 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

Source: National Adult Day Services Association
(NADSA)

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