Article Contents
Introduction
Adult day care centers are a great way for seniors to maintain their independence and stay active. There are many different types of adult daycare centers, but what they all have in common is that they offer adults with disabilities access to services like transportation, personal assistance, medication management, and social activities. This type of service can help reduce stress on family members who might be providing home care or paying for assisted living facilities for loved ones.
Services vary from center to center, so you must do your research before enrolling your loved one. Different standards come into play when it comes to adult daycare requirements. But first, we must have a good idea of what they are and what services and benefits they provide.
What Are Adult Day Care Centers?
Caregivers are not just limited to live-in caregivers hired by families. Family members can be caregivers to their elder loved ones too. But, when they have to work during the day and no one is left to care for the senior, they can always turn to Adult Day Care Centers.
The definition
Adult Day Care centers are a perfect way for seniors to maintain their mental health and social interactions. They offer daily care in the absence of family members, which can provide peace of mind knowing that one’s loved ones will be well-taken care of when they cannot do it themselves. It also offers an opportunity for elders to engage with others on similar life stages so as not to feel lonely or isolated from society altogether.
An Oxford study in 2017 found that seniors who enter Adult Day Care centers experienced significant improvement in their lives. This is mainly due to the holistic and quality service that the centers can provide, bringing about psychological, social, health, and behavioral benefits.
Benefits of adult day care centers
These centers are a big help, particularly to older adults who prefer receiving care in their homes and would want to be still a part of the community they lived in for most of their lives. It sends an important message that you do not need to detach yourself from everything in your life to get the care you need, especially if you don’t feel like you’re ready for such a change.
Adult Day Care centers are also quite crucial to seniors experiencing cognitive impairment like dementia. These facilities offer a wide variety of programs specifically targeted at seniors with this condition. Mental health care is a priority since many older adults who sign up for the centers have mental health concerns. Special attention is given to this aspect in the senior’s life. Actively promoting social interaction between each one makes for effective programs that help achieve sustainable long-term care.
Adult Day Care centers are equally helpful to caregivers. It allows them to get a little rest while ensuring that the senior have adequate care. Caregivers also have other responsibilities to their families and personal lives. Sometimes, it reaches a point when the caregivers have to make sacrifices with their jobs, like reducing working hours or taking a leave of absence to fulfill their caregiving duties. This could lead to stress and exhaustion and decrease motivation and overall productivity since social lives are also compromised. These centers provide excellent support and respite care to designated caregivers so they may be able to live a more balanced and enjoyable life.
It takes a lot to efficiently care for dementia patients, and caregivers could also use a pause from time to time. So, these adult day services are a perfect opportunity for both parties to change their pace and environment and unwind.
Types of Adult Day Care Facilities and Their Services
There are several types of Adult Day Care facilities that one can look into depending on the senior’s needs.
1. Social Day Care – The focus of them are enhancing social skills and individual abilities. Activities include arts, literature, discussion groups, group exercises, and games.
2. Adult Day Health Care – These centers have staff mainly made up of healthcare professionals, serving seniors experiencing physical or social issues due to the effects of their medical conditions. The seniors participate in programs that help them improve their quality of life by interacting with others and engaging in more controlled settings.
3. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Day Care (Specialized Centers) – These centers are specifically for seniors with cognitive conditions who require special care. The activities have minimum traveling and moving around, and there is a higher level of security and staff that specialize in dementia care.
When selecting a daycare center, the essential thing to consider is what type of care the senior requires. The same consideration goes for the caregiver in determining the kind of support they will also need. Once these things become established, you will have the necessary information to choose what will work best for your situation.
Requirements for daycare centers vary from place to place. Each area offers a different experience, but all have the same goal: to provide seniors with as much comfort and care as possible.
Some of the Best Adult Day Care Centers
Here are some of the best adult day care centers in Atlanta and Florida:
Adult Day Care in Atlanta
Fulton County has an adult day care program licensed by the Georgia Department Community of Health (DCH) that operates through several senior care centers. Attendees of these centers are provided with different services such as nutritious meals, counseling, exercise, and assistance with daily living activities if needed. Not only are there services for seniors, but there are programs for caregivers as well. Caregiving lessons and other activities are also available, ensuring that everyone has as much support as possible.
The best part is they also accept seniors with Medicaid Waivers through the Community Care Service Program (CCSP) and Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE).
Elderly Day Care in Florida
The Florida Adult Day Services Association (FADSA) represents the elderly daycare services in Florida. It aims to help centers improve and provide quality service, strongly advocating for developing Florida’s Adult Day Care industry. Through the years, it has significantly impacted the innovation of care centers, working closely with both private and public sectors to achieve optimal success in its mission. The association has also conducted several workshops to educate all involved parties further and ensure that there will be a sense of unity in achieving the desired goals. At the moment, there are over 280 licensed elderly daycare facilities in Florida.
Having these organizations that focus on improving service providers in specific industries is essential in community building. It also lets people see the higher purpose of their work, allowing them to have a deeper appreciation of the service they provide. It helps to motivate oneself when you know that other people are as passionate about what you do as you are.
When Should You Consider Adult Day Care?
When seeing signs that the senior might need access to better care, the best course of action would be to look at the different senior care options to provide the appropriate help. It is essential to carefully observe and constantly pick up on everything that is happening in the household.
According to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA), the best time to consider attending adult day care centers is when the senior is experiencing the following:
- When daily activities cannot be planned and accomplished independently
- Inability to be left alone for an extended period
- Diagnosed with cognitive impairment conditions such as dementia
- Failure to be provided with proper care from family members or other people living with them
- Having a desire to be around other people and have social interaction
For the family member caregivers, this will be of great help. Handling things on our own might cause more stress and anxiety, and it is certainly not easy. So, it is essential to remember that there are always many places that can give us the help and support we need.
Average Cost of Adult Day Care Centers
The average cost of adult day care centers can vary depending on the location, the type of services offered, and the size of the center. However, the average cost of adult day care centers in the USA, is $72 per day. This price includes meals, activities, and care for seniors who need assistance with daily tasks.
Top 3 Points
1. Adult Day Care Centers provide care for seniors in the absence of their family caretakers who might have to be away for work or other things.
2. These facilities provide elders with opportunities to engage with others on similar life stages so they won’t feel lonely or isolated from society.
3. Different types of Adult Day Care facilities are available depending on the senior’s needs. These include Social Day Care, Adult Day Health Care, and specialized centers for older adults with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Conclusion
Family caregivers want to provide all the love and care that their elders need, but they still have limitations. It’s a good thing that several facilities can help ensure loved ones have proper care. With the help of Adult Day Care centers, family members don’t have to worry about who will take care of their senior loved ones whenever they can’t while also relieving pressure off themselves.
An Adult Day Care center offers a variety of benefits to both the elderly and their caregivers. For seniors, these centers provide socialization, stimulation, and a sense of community. They also offer a break for caregivers, who can take time for themselves knowing their loved ones are in good hands. Adult day care centers are an affordable, convenient option for all involved.
