Gerontology Network Gerontology Network

Options for Adult Day Care

"I work full-time and care for my mom, who lives with me and has mild Alzheimer's disease. I don't want to put her in a nursing home, but she's not safe alone, and I can't afford to have someone stay with her. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated."

This question presents an opportunity to write about a favorite subject: adult day care. Adult Day Care remains one of the most underutilized ways of keep an older person at home when chronic medical problems and / or functional disability make it otherwise impossible.

In these innovative programs, the older person is brought to a facility where their social needs (and often medical as well) are met. During this time, the primary caregiver (usually an adult child or spouse) goes to work or just gets a break.

Programs for Different Needs

In general, adult day-care programs come in two types: social and medical. The social model focuses on integrating the older person into a meaningful social fabric through a variety of activities: art classes, bingo, field trips, and communal meals; the possibilities really are endless. Some programs provide assistance with bathing and other personal care needs that would otherwise be difficult for busy working family members.

Medical adult day adds an additional layer. During the course of the day, a variety of health care needs are met. These include blood pressure monitoring, physical and/or occupational therapy, and administration of medicines. In some states, medical adult day care is covered, at least in part, by Medicaid, the same government program that pays for the majority of nursing home care.

Picking the Right Program

In choosing a program for a parent or spouse, it's a good idea to use the same tactics as you'd use if you were choosing a nursing home.

Visit the facility several times at different times of the day and find out as much as you can about the people who work there. How long has the home been in operation? What are the qualifications of the individuals running the place? What is the frontline staff like who have the most contact with clients? In the case of a medical-model adult day care, how will the staff coordinate their efforts with the older person's physician and other health care providers?"

Why Haven't I Heard about this?

Given this jewel of an idea and the aging of America, you'd think that adult day-care centers would be popping up all over the US. While growth has been substantial over the past decade, in many communities (including West Michigan) there is still a shortage of quality adult day care.

Adult day care is catching on, but there is still some resistance on the part of patients and family members who worry that the programs may be childlike, because of the unfortunate name that the care industry has given to this crucial service. Northing could be further from the truth.

The fact is, quality adult day-care programs offer great opportunities for frail older people to make real social connections with the peers. While also affording their caregiver the crucial downtime needed to recharge their batteries or go to work. In general adult day care enables families to stay together longer and postpones a nursing home environment.

The Gerontology Network of West Michigan offers two Adult Day health centers.

For information on these and other resources in the community call the Resource Center On Aging (616) 456 - 6135.

 

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