ADULT DAY CARE

What is adult daycare?

Adult daycare is a planned program of activities in a professional care setting designed for older adults who require supervised care during the day, or those who are isolated and lonely. Adult daycare centers enable seniors to socialize and enjoy planned activities in a group setting, while still receiving needed health services. At the same time, they offer family caregivers respite from caregiving duties while knowing that their loved one is in a safe place.

Services vary between facilities, including the level of care offered. While one type of center focuses mainly on social and recreation services, with a few health-related and personal care services, another type will provide more comprehensive medical and therapeutic services. These could include physical, occupational, or speech therapy, for example, or medical services administered by a registered nurse or other health professional. Finally, the third type of facility will offer specialized services for adults with a specific health condition, such as dementia or a disability.

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Adult daycare centers tend to operate during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, although some services may be available in the evenings or at weekends. Whatever the range of services, the intent is primarily two-fold:

• To provide older adults an opportunity to get out of the house and receive both mental and social stimulation, as well as the continuing care they need.

• To give caregivers a much-needed break in which to work, attend to personal needs, or simply rest and relax.

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Services provided:

A well-run adult day care center’s goals will focus on enriching participants’ lives, building upon their skills and strengths, and providing lots of social interaction. Each facility differs in terms of features, but services may include:

• Social activities. Planned activities tend to be tailored to the participant's abilities and health conditions but may encompass such things as arts and crafts, musical entertainment and sing-a-longs, mental stimulation games such as bingo, stretching or other gentle exercise, discussion groups (for books, films, or current events, for example), holiday and birthday celebrations, and local outings.

• Nutrition. HHC provides seniors with nutritious meals, including those that accommodate special diets, along with snacks.

• Personal care. Center staff can help with the activities of daily living such as grooming, toilet hygiene, walking, and feeding.

• Health services. These can vary from medication dispensing, blood pressure monitoring, hearing checks, and vision screening, for example, to symptom management and more intensive medical or therapeutic services.

• Transportation. HHC provides transportation to and from the center and for any local outings.

• Services for caregivers. HHC provides counseling, support groups for caregivers, help with care planning, and caregiving education.