Adult Day Care
Adult Day Care Centers are designed to • Medical care provide care and companionship for seniors • who need assistance or supervision during the Physical therapy day. The program offers relief to family • Recreation members or caregivers and allows them the • Respite care freedom to go to work, handle personal business or just relax while knowing their • Socialization relative is well cared for and safe. • Supervision
The goals of the programs are to delay or • Transportation prevent institutionalization by providing • Medication Management alternative care, to enhance self-esteem and to encourage socialization. There are two types HOW DO ADULT DAY CARE CENTER of adult day care: adult social day care and OPERATE? adult day health care. Adult social day care These centers are usually open during provides social activities, meals, recreation working hours and may stand alone or be and some health-related services. Adult day located in senior centers, nursing facilities, health care offers more intensive health, churches or synagogues, hospitals, or schools. therapeutic and social services for individuals The staff may monitor medications, serve hot with severe medical problems and those at meals and snacks, perform physical or risk of requiring nursing home care. occupational therapy, and arrange social Seniors generally take part in the program on activities. They also may help to arrange a scheduled basis and the services that are transportation to and from the center itself. offered may include the following: WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ADULT DAY • Counseling CARE? The following case study is an example of a • Education senior who may need adult day care services, • Evening care both for his own well being and that of his • Exercise family caregivers:
• Health screening Paul is 69 years old and recently suffered a stroke. He needs some care and supervision • Meals so he lives with his son and daughter-in-law,
David and Kira. However, because David and WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT Kira both work, they need help to care for LOCAL SERVICES? Paul during the day. They found a solution to To find out more about the specific adult day their problem by having Kira drop off Paul at care centers where you live, you will want to the local adult day care center in the morning, contact your local aging information and and having David pick him up when he gets assistance provider or area agency on aging off work in the evening. The center monitors (AAA). The Eldercare Locator, a public Paul’s medications and offers him lunch, service of the Administration on Aging (at 1- some physical therapy, and a chance to 800-677-1116 or http://www.eldercare.gov ) socialize with other seniors. can help connect you to these agencies.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN ADULT The National Adult Day Services Association DAY CARE CENTER? is a good source for general information about All states do not license and regulate adult adult day care centers and programs. They day care centers. There may be a great deal of can help you link to a state adult day care difference between individual centers; association. It can be reached by calling the therefore it is important to learn more about toll-free telephone number 1-877-745-1440 or each of the centers near you. You will by going to http://www.nadsa.org. probably want to visit the centers closest to you, and talk with the staff and other families For more information about ACL that use the centers to determine if the U.S. Department of Health and Human facilities and programs available meet your Services, Administration for Community individual needs. You may want to find out if Living, Washington DC 20201 your state has an Adult Day Care Association. Phone: (202) 619 – 0724 Fax: (202) 357 – 3555 HOW DO I PAY FOR ADULT DAY Email: [email protected] SERVICES? Web: http://www.aoa.gov Costs vary among adult day centers. Costs range from $25 a day to over $100 per day depending on the services offered, type of reimbursement, and geographic region. While an adult day care center is not usually covered by insurance of Medicare, some financial assistance may be available through a federal or state program (e.g., Medicaid, Older Americans Act, Veterans Administration).