The Basics of Adult Day Centers
One option for getting some time for yourself, as well as helping your loved one, are Adult Day centers.
As a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone if you sometimes feel you “need a break.” We all need time to focus on ourselves. As a caregiver, however, for you to take a break, you need to know your loved one is being well-cared for in your absence.
One option for getting some time for yourself, as well as helping your loved one, is Adult Day.
Adult day centers typically offer supervised care and activities that are tailored to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Adult day services can help provide respite to caregivers, while at the same time ensuring that your loved one receives safe, compassionate, and attentive care. In comparison to in-home care, or full-time residential care facilities, adult day care can be a more affordable option. There are a number of ways to pay for Adult day care, including private pay, scholarships from your local Area Agency on Aging, or some long-term care insurance policies.
Here's what Adult day centers typically offer, and how they operate:
The Basics of Adult Day
Adult day can be a beneficial option for you and your loved one in many ways, including:
Social Interaction: Adult day can provide opportunities for your loved one to socialize with others who are going through similar experiences. The interaction of your loved one with their peers in a safe and supportive environment can enhance their mood, provide mental stimulation, and improve their social skills. The result can be a reduction in your loved one’s feelings of isolation and loneliness, often common in people suffering from Alzheimer’s, and it can also provide your loved one with a sense of community..
Structured Activities: Alzheimer's patients often thrive on routine, and adult day centers will provide a structured day with scheduled activities, meals, and social interaction, which can help alleviate the anxiety and confusion in your loved one. These activities are often designed to promote your loved one’s well-being, stimulate their memories, and maintain their cognitive skills. Such activities may include arts and crafts, music and dancing, reminiscence therapy, gentle exercise, games, and outings
Personal Care: Some adult day centers also provide personal care services, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming.
Meals and Snacks: Providing balanced, nutritious meals and snacks is a common service in adult day centers. This can ensure that your loved one is receiving proper nutrition, as well addressing any special dietary needs.
Health Services: Some adult daycente rs have medical professionals on staff who can administer medications, provide physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and monitor health conditions, giving you the peace of mind that they will be cared for should a medical issue arise. Also, the staff at adult day centers are also usually trained in dementia care, which can provide more effective and specialized care for your loved one.
Counseling and Support: Centers may also offer support groups, educational sessions, and counseling specifically designed for family caregivers as well as services for your loved one.
Respite for Caregivers: Adult day can provide you with a much-needed break from the duties of caregiving, giving you a chance to relax, run errands, or simply have some time to yourself and recharge.
Physical Activity: Adult day care centers typically offer programs or activities that encourage physical exercise, which can improve your loved one’s overall health, reduce stress, and improve their mood.
Safe Environment: Adult day care centers provide a safe, secure environment for your loved one, reducing risks such as wandering or getting lost.
How to Find an Adult Day Center
It's important to find a center that's a good fit for your loved’s one’s needs and preferences. Since every individual is different, and not every adult day care center is the same, it pays to do some research and due diligence to find the right fit.
The specific hours of an Adult Day center can vary, but generally, they operate during normal business hours, five days a week, though some centers may offer services in the evenings or on weekends. Participants can attend daily, or only on certain days of the week, depending on their needs and the offerings of the center. Transportation services may be provided by the center, or caregivers may need to arrange for transportation.
Before your loved one can attend an adult day center, they will generally need to undergo an assessment, which will help the center’s staff understand your loved one’s specific needs and abilities, enabling the center to provide the appropriate care and activities.
Also important in choosing an Adult Day center is the range of services offered, the qualifications of the center’s staff, the ratio of staff to participants, and the overall feel of the center’s environment. It's important to find a center where your loved one feels comfortable and is treated with dignity and respect. You should also talk to your loved one about their wishes and preferences.
Here are some key steps in the decision process:
Determine Your Loved One’s Needs: Consider your loved one’s specific physical needs, such as assistance with mobility or personal care, their cognitive needs, like memory care, and their social needs. You may also want to consider any additional services like physical or occupational therapy, dietary needs, or medication management. It is routine for adult day programs to request a standard medical form to be completed by the loved one’s physician prior to attending. In addition, a chest x-ray and/or and TB test are commonly required. It’s a good idea to ask when you tour the facilitly what kinds of forms and tests are required, so you can be prepared.
Research Your Available Options: Start by looking up adult day care centers in your area. The ElderCare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, is a good place to start. You could also check the Alzheimer's Association’s Community Resource Finder for recommendations. Your personal NAN Navigator can help you through this process. If applicable, you can also consult this list of Adult Day centers in Broward County.
Visit Centers: Schedule visits to a few centers to get a feel for the environment and the staff. Observe the interaction between staff and participants, the activities offered, the cleanliness and safety of the facility, and the overall atmosphere.
Ask Questions: During your visit, ask about the staff's training and experience with Alzheimer's care. Ask about the center's routine, activities, meals, health services, and any additional services they offer. Find out what their policies are in case of a medical emergency.
Consider the Schedule and Costs: Make sure the center's hours align with your needs. Also, ask about the cost of services, what is included in the fees, and if they accept your loved one's insurance or if financial assistance is available.
Try It Out: Many centers will allow you to bring your loved one in for a day or two to see how they like it. This can help you see if the center is a good fit for your loved one.
Ask for References: Ask for references from families who have used their services. This will give you a clearer picture of what you can expect.
Consult Healthcare Professionals: Talk to your personal NAN Navigator, and your loved one's healthcare provider. They will have recommendations or additional factors for you to consider.
Remember, it may take some time to find the right fit, and that's okay. Your loved one's comfort and safety are important, so don't rush the decision.
How To Have a Conversation With Your Loved One About Attending an Adult Day Center
Initiating a conversation with a loved one about attending an adult day center might be challenging, as the disease may affect your loved one’s ability to understand and accept a new arrangement such as going to a new environment. Here are some strategies to approach the conversation:
Plan Ahead: Think through what you want to say ahead of time. Consider possible objections or concerns your loved one may have, and be prepared with responses. If you anticipate your loved one objecting to attending adult day, speak with the adult day staff prior to discussing it with your loved one. Often you will find that the staff may suggest strategies that have proven successful for others. One such strategy, for example, could be to present the Adult Day session as an opportunity for your loved one to be a “buddy” or “volunteer” for others. Presenting this scenario to your loved one could be more well received, as it gives them a sense of purpose.
Choose the Right Time and Place: Choose a time when your loved one is most lucid and relaxed. Conversations in familiar and quiet settings can help minimize distractions and confusion.
Use Simple Language. Since Alzheimer's can affect your loved one’s communication and comprehension abilities, make sure you speak slowly, use short sentences, and break down the information into smaller, manageable parts. Avoid using acronyms and jargon.
Focus on the Benefits: Emphasize the positives of the adult day center to your loved one. Talk about the opportunity for them to socialize, participate in activities they enjoy, and a structured routine of activities that they can benefit from.
Involve Them in the Decision-Making: As much as possible, involve them in the decision process. Go with your loved one to visit the center together, if feasible.
Be patient: It may take some time for your loved one to come around to the idea of adult day. Listen to your loved one's concerns and answer any questions they might have. Your loved one might be worried about leaving home, about being separated from you, or not being able to remember what happens at adult day. It may take multiple conversations for your loved one to feel comfortable with the idea. Stay patient, empathetic, and reassuring.
Empathize, Validate Their Feelings, and Reassure: It's natural for your loved one to feel apprehensive about change. Validate their feelings and concerns, and reassure them that it's okay to feel uncertain. Reassure your loved one that you love them and that you are only trying to help.
Suggest a Trial Run: Asking your loved one to “give it a try” can help to ease their anxiety and make them feel more comfortable about making a change. Suggest that your loved one try the center out for a short period to see if they like it, and offer to go with them on their first day. Your loved one might feel more at ease if they understand they're not making a permanent commitment right away.
If you are having difficulty having this conversation, talk to your personal NAN Navigator about the best approach. They are here to provide you with support and guidance!
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
