No matter how efficiently and effortlessly you have adapted your life to the
role of caregiver, eventually you are going to need a break. Occasional breaks
are essential not only to your emotional well-being, but to the well-being of
your relationships with your family, friends, and the person you are caring for.
Taking an occasional break is also essential to maintaining your capability as a
caregiver. For some caregivers a nearby family member can step in and provide
the care, but for other caregivers that option is not available. In these cases,
adult day care is an option.
Adult day care provides daily structured programs in a community setting with
activities and health-related and rehabilitation services to older adults who
are physically or emotionally disabled and need a protective environment. Many
centers provide services to clients with a broad range of conditions and
disorders, while others specialize in particular disorders such as Alzheimer’s
disease.
Care is provided during daytime hours, and the individual returns home for
the night. These centers not only enable older people to live at home, thus
maintaining a degree of independence, but they are also beneficial to a primary
caregiver in need of respite from the every day responsibilities of looking
after a loved one. Many adult day care programs also provide transportation to
and from the center.
Adult day care is offered at a special purpose facility or as a service at
another type of care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living
residence.
Services usually include, but are not limited to:
- Physical, occupational, and
speech therapy;
- Meals; social activities
(such as crafts, music, movies, community projects,
intergenerational programs);
- Transportation, fellowship,
support, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
such as bathing, eating, dressing, and grooming;
- Medically-related services
provided by health care professionals, including registered nurses
and therapists. General and social activities provided by other staff workers.
Social work services may also be provided.
Adult day care also provides opportunities for education, as well as taking
into consideration the older adults’ favorite hobbies, interests, and needs.
When deciding to investigate adult day care options, the first step is to
locate centers in your area. Local churches or a senior center generally can provide
information on adult day care centers. In addition, some assisted living and
nursing home facilities offer adult day care services.
Once the area centers have been located, call the centers and ask them to
mail you information about the center, such as eligibility requirements, sample
menus, activity calendars, and the application process. Once you have received
the information, other things to look for include:
- How long the center has been in operation
- Who owns or sponsors the center
- Hours of operation
- Days of operation
- Whether or not they offer transportation to and from
the center