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Dear Risa,
My sister got a new job during the day. She
explained that she is enrolling our Mother, who has Huntington's disease, in an adult day care center. This option is new
to me. What can you tell me about adult day care centers?
Risa's Response
Many working caregivers find their options are limited. They become frustrated as they search for
a safe setting for family members who are frail, disabled, suffer from depression or memory loss. As a result, older adults
remain socially isolated at home. They may have trouble walking, using the restroom, getting nutritious meals or taking medicine
without assistance.
One of the best-kept secrets in healthcare is an adult day center. In 1978, there were only 300
adult day centers in the United States. According to The National Adult Day Services Association, Today, there are more
than 4000 centers. As our population ages, they prefer community based alternatives such as adult day centers.
For Caregivers,
Adult Day Centers
Offer:
- Respite and relief from the responsibility of 24 -hour caregiving
- The opportunity for caregivers to remain employed
- A cost effective alternative to institutional placement
- Reassurance that a loved one is safe throughout the day
For Participants,
Adult Day Centers Offer:
- A chance to get out into the community to remain active
- An opportunity to enhance their quality of life through
socialization and recreational programs
- A positive way to prevent isolation and boredom
Adult Day Centers may offer participants nursing care, therapy, nutritional meals and snacks, family
counseling, support groups, podiatry, transportation and hair salon services.
Individuals who benefit from an adult
day center may suffer from physical limitations and/or memory loss. For example physical limitations may
be related to strokes, arthritis, osteoporosis, vision impairments or hearing loss. |
Individuals with memory loss may have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
Huntington's disease,
Pick's Disease Vascular Dementia or other types of Dementia.
A typical day at the center may include current events, reminiscence, trivia, exercise, art, music,
pet therapy,
gardening, cards, guest speakers, outings and much more.
In order to meet the needs of working caregivers, many centers have extended hours. Some are open on
weekends and may offer overnight care.
Staff members in a day center should be trained in dementia care and must have
expertise in assisting disabled adults
with ambulation, transfers and incontinence care.
At many centers, a registered nurse is available to provide health monitoring, blood pressure and glucose
checks,
medication administration and nutritional counseling.
Case managers play a critical role in helping families
assess their individual situation. They develop an individualized plan of care to meet each participant
physical, social,
emotional and financial needs. In addition, they may lead caregiver support groups, provide individual counseling and coordinate
volunteer
programs.
Under certain conditions, Medicaid Waiver Programs, long term care insurance or the Veterans
Administration may provide funding for participants.
Private pay rates range from $30-$70/day. Transportation is usually an extra charge. Some adult
day centers provide sliding scale discounts to qualified participants. The average cost per day is less than 1:1 home
health care and about half the cost of skilled nursing facility care.
A common concern expressed by caregivers is the
fear that their loved one will resist attending a center. Change is
difficult for everyone. It is imperative that you give
your family member ample time to adjust to this new routine.
Sincerely,
Risa Levovsky
Caregiver-Author-Advocate
Alzheimer's Tips-Revealed:
Successful Caregiving in the 21st Century
www.alzheimers-tips.com
Helpful Resources
Adult Day Service Directory(National Adult Day Services Association, Inc.)
This directory will help you in your search for quality, community Adult Day
Services.
(The CareGuide) Questions To Ask |
