What exactly is adult day care you may ask yourself, or may not. You may think it is the same as day care for children. Well it pretty much is, only older people tell better jokes. As we age, things get harder and we can not take care of ourselves. Sometimes the elderly are able to stay home while a family member or someone close to them takes care of them. However, we still have jobs that need to be attended to. There are all sorts of services for almost anything you can think of. We have busy lives and just like kids, the elderly require attention and help with their daily activities. Maybe you are a caregiver to a loved one and wonder if maybe adult day care would be a good option. There are a wide variety of benefits that come from adult day services that I think should be available to everyone.
Adult day care was established in England around the late 1940’s with the purpose of assisting patients prior to being released from mental institutions (NADSA). This service reached the United States in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s, NADSA expanded their focus to not only mentally ill patients but to people who need help managing their health (NADSA). Adult day care center week is actually an event that started in the 1980’s (NADSA). According to NADSA, there has been a 32% increase in facilities providing adult day services since 2002 (Hawkins). Skipping ahead to 2008, NADSA starts looking into protocols to help end of life patients (NADSA). This is important for the family so they know that their loved one is being properly taken care of. Also in 2008, rehabilitation services for veterans were improved from previous standards. An important bill was introduced in 2009 that made the adult day care facilities able to be a medicare provider (NADSA). According to the NADSA website, “This bill will give consumers an adult day center option, to receive their Medicare post acute care benefits such as rehabilitation, nursing care, enteral feedings, and wound care.” From that year on, small steps towards improvement were taken. A few things changed but most importantly, there was expansion. Expanding this type of service was important to family and loved ones because it allows the patient to receive a type of care that maybe their caregiver cannot give them. It is almost like going to a party, but for the elderly.
What are some of the things that adult day services include? Adult day services allows the patient to socially interact with other people and allows the patient to participate in activities that are not available at their home. Most often, the patient has a close family member take care of them. Normally, the caregiver has another job and sends the patient to adult day services while they go to work. In accompany to benefits mentioned before, there are many other services that come with adult day services. Services like counseling, health monitoring, therapy, crafting, and other things such as games and gardening (Caregivers). However, those are only a few on the long list of activities provided for the patient. Alongside activities, there are services such as specific meal planning for patients with certain meal restrictions. There are activities that can be done at all stages of aging. The National Caregivers Library has many suggestions available for families of a loved one who is at the end of life, long distances away, or simply in need of assistance. Most of the caregivers at these facilities will be young enough to know things the patient does not. This opens up opportunities to learn new skills and things that could even bring them closer to their younger family members.
In addition to functions for the patient, there are also events that the caregiver can take part it. Where I work, we have periodical meetings with family member to maintain their knowledge on the benefits provided for their loved one. Also actions that can be taken that promote a better quality of life for the patient. Letting them know that you are there for them and that you care is very important. It is very common in elderly patients to feel alone or depressed. It is very common that family members neglect to stay in contact with their loved ones. I see this happen all the time and the patient just wonders what they have done wrong. This most often leads to depression. It is important to show love and compassion throughout life, but especially important when people start getting closer to the end of their life. It is hard to put yourself in their shoes, but it is important to try. The elderly are reaching the end of their life and are very scared, even if they don't show it. They still need friends and they want to be comfortable with the fact that they end of the road is near.
What does it cost? Where can I find these services? The cost may vary from state to state or where you want your loved one to attend these services. Throughout the U.S. there are places for adults that need assistance to receive help. Adult day care is a less permanent than admitting them into a nursing home. Not only is this option less of a commitment, it is also much cheaper in most cases. The average rate in the U.S. is $70 per day (Hawkins). Hawkins states that the highest average was $141 per day, while the lowest average was $39 per day. Most often, this service is paid out of pocket because medicare or medicaid does not cover it (Hawkins). However, if you are a veteran sometimes these types of services will be covered (Hawkins). Location is important for the family and the patient to make sure that they maintain contact. Adult day care is typically local and provides community involvement.
When should you put your loved one in adult day care? Sometimes putting a loved one in adult day care isn't because they need physical help, but because they are missing out on things they enjoy and become depressed. Some reasons why a person would need adult day services are, feeling alone and isolated, regular exercise, and chronic disease management (Hawkins). Or perhaps the caregiver just needs a break. As a cna, I know personally that taking care of the elderly is a lot of work and can be very tiring. There are many reasons to put someone in adult day services but no matter what, it should be talked through with the patient. In cases such as someone having alzheimer's, a power of attorney will be appointed. This person is the voice for the person needing assistance. If you or someone you know is a POA it is important to not only think about what you want but to listen to the doctor's recommendations. I see this happen a lot where the doctors recommendations are ignored and things take a turn for the worse. They are doctors for a reason and their logic has some type of reason behind it.
Adult day services have changed throughout the years to fit the needs of a larger variety of people. Not only does it provide services for the mentally ill, but now everyone with medical needs are able to receive adult day services. Different organizations and companies have come together over the years to make adult day services more available and of a higher quality. Many things should be taken into consideration when thinking about adult day care. Tours are usually always acceptable so the caregiver can get a good idea of the facility before sending their loved one there. Hopefully you now know all of the basics about adult day care. There are many sources that can provide further information on this subject. Also, this service is still currently being improved and could always use the input of loved ones on what needs to change. The end of life process is hard, but it doesn't have to be bad.