As our population ages, the need for elderly care continues to grow. When an adult needs care around the clock, this can present challenges and lead to difficult choices. Numerous dilemmas can present themselves when you must care for your parents and care for your children simultaneously. Often, there is often still a need to work and earn an income while caring for a loved one. Adult daycare centers are available to help with supervised care during business hours, allowing you to keep your job or continue to do what you would normally do during the day.
General Benefits of Adult Day Care
Adult daycare centers are designed to provide supervised care to adults unable to be alone for long periods of time. Adult daycare programs can provide peace of mind to caretakers. These facilities are generally open Monday through Friday during normal business hours, although some may be open evenings and weekends as well. The National Adult Day Services Association defines elder care day programs in three types of centers. The social day care consisting of activities, including outings, meals and entertainment. The health day care intended for those needing medical management, which is a benefit to those hoping to keep a loved one out of an institution for as long as possible. There are also centers designated only for residents needing a high level of care, such as dementia patients or patients with HIV/AIDS, which can benefit the care giver needing a much deserved break from the exhaustion of extensive care.
Benefits of Traditional Services
Social interaction is a benefit that goes beyond the basic premise of adult daycare. Elderly adults benefit mentally from interaction with others in the structured environment of planned activities and events. Adult daycare facilities provide meals and snacks, many accommodating therapeutic diets, that involve socialization and conversation. According to the National Adult Day Services Association, participants also receive assistance with personal care including toileting and eating. Some care facilities provide transportation to the center in the morning and home in the afternoon. Health daycare centers also provide multiple medical programs which may include nursing care and services such as physical therapy.
Benefits to the Dependent Adult
Adult daycare facilities help to maintain functional status through health services for both physical and mental care, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. These centers can provide a social outlet to elders with the support of peers, as well as medical and social services. Most importantly, adult daycare centers can prevent or delay long term care placement by providing supervision when caretakers are not available. These centers also often provide meals and activities to encourage socialization and maintaining the patient's level of function.
Benefits to the Caregiver
Being a caretaker can be a rewarding experience. This role also comes with challenges and cause exhaustion. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicates that adult daycare can give care takers assistance and a break from the challenges. When your loved one needs 24 hour supervision and you are still working, adult daycare gives you the freedom to continue working. Adult daycare centers also give you the peace of mind that your loved one is being stimulated and socialized as well as taken care of.
Decisions
When an adult loved one can no longer care for himself, families can be forced to make difficult decisions. Losing independence can be a difficult process making the challenge of deciding the method of care more difficult. Adult daycare centers are an option to keep our loved ones at home instead of in an institution, while allowing the caregiver to continue with their outside life. The socialization provided by adult day care centers can enhance self esteem and promote wellness. Medicare recommends asking many questions of the facility in advance, as programs, services, and hours provided by the centers can vary. Also, be sure to include your elderly loved one in the decision of the location and then rest assured that they will be well cared for during the day.
References
- National Adult Day Services Association: Adult Day Services: Overview and Facts
- Department of Health and Human Services: Eldercare Locator
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The Role of Adult Day Services
- Health Management Associates: Adult Day Health Care Services: Serving the Chronic Health Needs of Frail Elderly Through Cost-Effective, Non-Institutional Care
- Medicare: Types of Long Term Care
