WHAT IS ADULT DAY CARE?
Adult Day Care Centers are designed to provide care
and companionship for seniors who need assistance
or supervision during the day. The program offers
relief to family members or caregivers and allows them the freedom to go to
work, handle personal business or just relax while knowing their relative is
well cared for and safe.
The goals of the programs are to delay or prevent institutionalization by providing
alternative care, to enhance self-esteem and to encourage socialization.
There are two types of adult day care: Adult social day care provides social
activities, meals, recreation and some health-related services. Adult day
health care offers more intensive health, therapeutic and social services
for individuals with severe medical problems and those at risk of requiring
nursing home care.
Seniors generally take part in the program on a scheduled basis and the services
that are offered may include the following:
- Counseling
- Education
- Evening care
- Exercise
- Health screening
- Meals
- Medical care
- Physical therapy
- Recreation
- Respite care
- Socialization
- Supervision
- Transportation
- Medication Management
HOW DO ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS OPERATE?
These centers are usually open during working hours and may stand alone or be
located in senior centers, nursing facilities, churches or synagogues, hospitals,
or schools. The staff may monitor medications, serve hot meals and snacks,
perform physical or occupational therapy, and arrange social activities. They
also may help to arrange transportation to and from the center itself.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ADULT DAY CARE?
The following case study is an example of a senior who may need adult day care
services, both for his own well being and that of his family caregivers:
Paul is 69 years old and recently suffered a stroke. He needs some care and supervision
so he lives with his son and daughter-in-law, David and Kira. However, because
David and Kira both work, they need help to care for Paul during the day. They
found a solution to their problem by having Kira drop off Paul at the local adult
day care center in the morning, and having David pick him up when he gets off
work in the evening. The center monitors Paul’s medications and offers
him lunch, some physical therapy, and a chance to socialize with other seniors.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN ADULT DAY CARE CENTER?
Not all states license and regulate adult day care centers, there may
be a great deal of difference between individual centers; therefore it is important
to learn more about each of the centers near you. You will probably want to visit
the centers closest to you, and to talk with the staff and other families that
use the centers to determine if the facilities and programs available meet your
individual needs. You may want to find out if your state has an Adult Day Care
Association.
HOW DO I PAY FOR ADULT DAY SERVICES?
Costs vary among adult day centers. Costs range from $25 a day to over $100 per
day depending on the services offered, type of reimbursement, and geographic
region. While an adult day care center is not usually covered by insurance of
Medicare, some financial assistance may be available through a federal or state
program (e.g., Medicaid, Older Americans Act, Veterans Administration)
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL SERVICES?
To find out more about the specific adult day care centers where you live, you
will want to contact your local aging information and assistance provider or
area agency on aging (AAA). The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration
on Aging (at 1-800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov) can help connect you to these
agencies.
The National Adult Day Services Association is a good source for general information
about adult day care centers and programs. They can help you link to a state
adult day care association. It can be reached by calling the toll-free telephone
number 1-866-890-7357 or by going to http://www.nadsa.org.
Some area agencies on aging (AAA) have programs or link
to services that assist older people obtain low-cost
assistive technology. You can call the Eldercare Locator
at 1-800-677-1116 or visit the website www.eldercare.gov
to locate your local AAA. In addition local civic groups,
religious and veterans’ organizations, and senior
centers may be able to refer you to assistive technology
resources.
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