Q: What is an Adult Day Care Center?
A: Adult Day Care programs are licensed care facilities that provide social and personal care services to adults during the day in a group setting. This means the person can live at home and go for part of the day to enjoy a social program where they are also provided the care they may need.
There are many reasons an Adult Day Care program may be a good option. Some people do not want care in the home because it does not really give the family member space or a break if they are home too. They may also find in home care or residential care to be too expensive.
Adult Day Programs have many wonderful benefits, not only for the person attending the program but also for their family caregiver, who gets some much-needed respite, along with linkages to support and other services.
Senior Concerns operates an ADP, and I love being a part of this program. We get to know the people who attend and their families. The activities are planned to be therapeutic in nature and focus on physical fitness, brain stimulation, and music and art therapy.
The truth is that most people with dementia live in the community and not in facilities. These day programs offer a more affordable solution to care, which often helps the family delay or avoid residential placement. Additionally, they offer the participants a social program that can reduce isolation, engage their minds and bodies, and ensure their safety.
There are two types of Day programs. The California Department of Social Services licenses the social model program as an Adult Day Program (ADP), whereas the California Department of Public Health licenses the medical model as an Adult Day Health Care Program (ADHC). The medical model programs can bill Medi-Cal insurance and provide some medical services, including physical therapy and occupational therapy. Private long-term care insurance can pay for both models.
Both ADPs and ADHCs may serve people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, complex physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, or other chronic disabling conditions. You can learn more about both models and find a center for you here: https://aging.ca.gov/Care_Options/Adult_Day_Services_Programs/
Many people do not realize this option is available or are unsure what to expect. If you have a loved one who may benefit from a day program, then schedule a tour of one near you. Ask all your questions so that you feel comfortable.
Ask what the staff-to-client ratio is, what special diets they can handle, how they gear their program for your loved ones’ needs, and how they assess your loved one to see if the program is a good fit. You can also ask about their enrollment and paperwork process. All licensed facilities have paperwork, including a physician’s report and a TB test, to enroll.
Knowing what options are available when care is needed is essential. Make sure you assess all options to find what is the best fit for you and your loved one. Adult Day Care Programs just might be the hidden gem that will provide you and your loved one with a new community of care.
Ask what the staff-to-client ratio is, what special diets they can handle, how they gear their program for your loved ones’ needs, and how they assess your loved one to see if the program is a good fit. You can also ask about their enrollment and paperwork process. All licensed facilities have paperwork, including a physician’s report and a TB test, to enroll.
Knowing what options are available when care is needed is essential. Make sure you assess all options to find what is the best fit for you and your loved one. Adult Day Care Programs just might be the hidden gem that will provide you and your loved one with a new community of care.
Ask what the staff-to-client ratio is, what special diets they can handle, how they gear their program for your loved ones’ needs, and how they assess your loved one to see if the program is a good fit. You can also ask about their enrollment and paperwork process. All licensed facilities have paperwork, including a physician’s report and a TB test, to enroll.
Knowing what options are available when care is needed is essential. Make sure you assess all options to find what is the best fit for you and your loved one. Adult Day Care Programs just might be the hidden gem that will provide you and your loved one with a new community of care.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
