What Is Adult Day Care?
As the population of older Americans increases, more people than ever become caretakers for their elderly parents or other relatives. An estimated 33 million people care for an elderly person in their home. Caring for a person of advanced age is often the equivalent of a full-time job or more. Approximately 4,000 adult day care centers across the United States offer respite for those who care for the elderly; the centers allow caretakers to take breaks or to continue working.
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Function
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Adult daycare centers serve the same purpose as daycare centers for children, but offer services and programs designed to benefit senior citizens. Many people prefer to have their elderly parents at home rather than placing them in an assisted living facility or nursing home unless absolutely necessary. Adult day care centers make this possible without sacrificing one's career to stay home full-time caring for elderly relatives.
Types
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Two types of adult daycare centers are available. Social daycare centers provide recreation, interaction with other seniors, meals and limited health care such as medication reminders and help with blood glucose tests. Health-centered daycare services include more advanced medical care and are especially useful for seniors who are at risk of being placed in a nursing home. Most centers provide one type of service or the other, although some are able to fill both roles.
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Features
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Adult daycare centers offer a wide variety of services to meet the needs of older adults. Planned recreational activities allow seniors to avoid boredom and maintain social contact. Most centers provide hot, nutritious meals that can be customized to meet the needs of seniors with special dietary requirements. Exercise programs at adult daycare centers encourage physical activity in senior citizens, whose health problems are often made worse by a sedentary lifestyle. Some adult daycare centers also provide transportation, screen for health problems, and offer medical services. Supportive services for caretakers are also available, including counseling and education on caring for the elderly.
Benefits
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Many senior citizens who live with their adult children are unable to fully care for themselves and require constant supervision. Others may not need supervision but do need help remembering to take their medication and benefit from having company while their home caretaker is working. Those who choose to stay home full-time with their aging parents often benefit from the respite care that adult daycare centers offer, since caring for an elderly person can be an overwhelming task.
Considerations
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Adult daycare is not usually covered by Medicare or medical insurance, although financial assistance may be available through state and federal programs such as the Veterans Administration or Medicaid. The cost of adult daycare varies based on the services required and the region the center is located in, but is typically between $25 and $100 per day. Adult daycare centers should not be used as a substitute for a nursing home when an elderly person requires a great deal of medical care. However, an adult daycare center can delay placement in a nursing home for many senior citizens who need a moderate amount of medical support.
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- Photo Credit Photo courtesy of Tim & Selena Middleton
