As the population ages, the need for specialized care services for older adults has become increasingly vital. Among these services, adult day care centers stand out as a valuable resource.

Adult day care centers can be a great place for older adults to maintain a regular, active social life. Each center is unique in caring for the needs of their members. Many provide recreational activities while others may offer medical services and specialized support for those who have a disability or condition (like dementia) that prevents them from staying home alone. Most centers are typically open on weekdays for daytime care only.

Adult day care centers provide a safe, secure setting for older adults who need supervision during the day or who would benefit from additional social engagement outside their home. Considering about 1 in 3 adults in the United States is an informal or family caregiver, these centers offer a much-needed break from caregiving duties while ensuring your loved one gets the care they need.

The Benefits of Adult Day Care Centers

Adult day care centers should enrich the lives of their members by offering engaging programs and activities. These programs are more than just a place to drop off your loved one during the week; a proper center can provide meaningful social connection, fun physical activities, nutritious meals and necessary health services.

Though each location may offer different services, senior day care centers typically include:

  • Social activities, like games, dancing, and other hobbies that can help brain function by providing mental stimulation
  • Transportation to and from the center
  • Healthy meals spent with others
  • Grooming and personal care, like showers and haircuts
  • Medical care, such as hearing or vision tests
  • Mental health services for caregivers, like counseling or support groups

Finding the Right Adult Day Center

The decision to become a caregiver for a loved one may happen quickly, in times of high stress. Families typically do not understand their care options and are unsure how to find additional support. Adult day care centers help lift that burden.

How do you find the right day center? Start by assessing:

  • What level of care your loved one needs.

    Ask yourself what kind of medical care, planned activities, exercise or leisure activities they would need during the day. Make sure to put both their physical care needs and mental care first, so they feel happy and fulfilled while they are there.

  • How much time they will spend there each day, week or month.

    Think about how often you will utilize an adult day center. Will it be once a week, one week per month, or every weekday? Consider things like cost, memberships and rotation of daily activities at the center. There may be specific activities on certain days of the week that would be more appealing to your loved one.

  • How much you can spend on day care.

    Each center offers unique services, so the cost will vary; for example, some day centers may require the participants to be able to use the bathroom on their own or walk without assistance.

For many, adult day care centers are an economical option. Adult day care centers are typically more affordable than in-home respite care, averaging in the U.S. around $98 per day. That price will vary depending on your location; for example, if you live in a city, you may pay more than someone living in a more isolated area of the U.S. Medicare plans do not offer coverage for adult day centers, but many centers offer a sliding scale or other financial assistance.

How Compass Rose Aging Well Can Help

Of course, caregiving can be rewarding, but it can be easy to neglect your own needs when taking care of someone else’s. As a caregiver, burnout is a very real concern. Due to the high stress and demands of the job, you also need help and support.

Compass Rose Aging Well can help you research adult day care options to help take some of the burden off your shoulders. Our resource coordinator is dedicated to helping members get the care they need, from finding local options to searching for financial assistance, if needed. They can also help you put together a list of questions to ask when interviewing a potential adult day center, so you make sure you get everything you need.

 

 Published: June 25, 2024.