Adult Day Care Centers Near Me: How To Find the Best Care For Your Loved One
When you search for adult day care centers in your local area, you want to find a safe and friendly place for your loved one. As caregivers, choosing the right care center is an important decision that warrants careful thought. These centers can offer a great deal of caregiver support, and are examples of community care in action.
To help you make the best choice, this article will help you consider the following:
- The mission and vision of the care center
- The financial cost of a given care center
- The value of feedback in making an informed choice about an adult day program
Looking for more valuable information like this? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s learning resources and community of caregivers.
Important Questions
What Is The Mission & Vision Of The Care Center?
Start by asking about the care center’s mission and vision. It’s important to know:
- What the center stands for
- What they want to accomplish
Good adult day services have clear goals and objectives that underpin their day program. They want to improve health, offer social activities, or help with the daily tasks of assisted living. An excellent adult day care center will also treat seniors with a high level of care and respect. A strong vision and mission will show that they’re serious about creating a welcoming environment for all.
What Services Are Being Offered?
Every center offers different aging services. Be sure to ask detailed questions to see if they match the needs of the older adult you care for.
- What kinds of activities do they offer for daily living?
- Ask if there are exercise classes, arts and crafts, games, or other forms of engagement.
Engaging in fun activities and other hobbies can help keep older adults active and happy.
Consider Medical Care & Support
Does the adult day care center have nurses, therapists, or other medical professionals on their staff? Can they help with medicine, physical therapy, or memory care for those with dementia? Knowing that health care is available is reassuring for older adults and has many benefits.
What Are The Hours Of Operation & Scheduling Options?
Knowing how the center’s schedule will fit into your daily life is important. Consider the hours when different senior centers are open and how this aligns with your timetable. Can the centers accommodate changes in your schedule, or if you have a sudden need for care? How does a center handle holidays and special days?
Are The Staff Well Trained & Supported?
The quality of the staff can make a huge difference in the care older adults receive. Ask if they’re trained in things like:
- First aid and CPR
- Dementia care
- Personal care
- Crisis management
- Emergency procedures
Experienced staff can better handle any unique requirements, such as a physical disability or chronic illness, that your loved one might have. Additionally, a lower ratio of clients to staff means that each client gets more attention. This can be a good sign of a high-quality adult day care program.
What Are The Costs & Payment Options?
Understanding the costs of an adult day program will help you plan your budget and avoid any unwelcome surprises. Look at how much regular care costs and investigate any discounts or deals that might be available if you plan to use their services for a long time.
What Is The Environment Like?
If you can, visit the center in person. This will allow you to see the state of the environment and how it accommodates seniors.
- Is it tidy?
- Are there safety features that make it suitable for seniors?
- Is it a friendly place to be?
- What is the atmosphere like during activities?
- Will it be appropriate for people with mental health issues or dementia, for example?
What Do Other Families Say?
Feedback from other families is a great way to learn about an adult day program. Talk to other families who use the center and ask for references or testimonials. Reading reviews can help you see if there are any common concerns or big selling points about the adult day center. Awards and certifications, as well as the opinions of other caregivers, can give you a lot of extra confidence.
Conclusion
As caregivers, choosing an adult day care services center is an important decision. When you search, ask about the center’s mission, its services, hours of operation, staff training and experience, and the other factors we’ve covered here. When you visit, asking questions about a day program will help you find a place where your loved one can feel happy, safe, and well cared for.
Looking for more valuable information like this? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s learning resources and community of caregivers.
References
- Ellen, M.E., Demaio, P., Lange, A., and Wilson, M.G. (2017) Adult Day Center Programs and Their Associated Outcomes on Clients, Caregivers, and the Health System: A Scoping Review. Gerontologist, 57(6), pp. e85-e94. Available at URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28329856/
- Jennings-Sanders, A. (2004) Nurses in adult day care centers. Geriatr Nurs, 25(4), pp. 227-232. Available at URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15311199/
- Gitlin, L.N., Reever, K., Dennis, M.P., Mathieu, E., and Hauck, W.W. (2006) Enhancing quality of life of families who use adult day services: Short- and long-term effects of the adult day services plus program. Gerontologist, 46(5), pp. 630-639. Available at URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17050754/
