Adult Day Care…The Compassionate and Affordable Senior Care Solution

Adult Day Care…The Compassionate andmeet and to be with friends, enjoy nutritious
Affordable Senior Care Solutionmeals including special diets, assistance with
Most of us will have to manage the care of anpersonal care, and support with their health and
aging loved one at some point in our lifetime.  Amedical needs such as health monitoring and
loved one can need additional care because of amedication administration.
medical condition or complication, a decline inAdult Day Care centers have professional qualified
cognitive functioning, or increasing isolation andstaff including registered and licensed nurses, social
depression. The responsibilities and challenges canworkers, dieticians, and activity specialists that are
be overwhelming for a caregiver. Navigating theable to handle such issues as physical impairment,
options for senior care and coordinating their caredepression, Alzheimer's and dementia, stroke, and
can be equally challenging.Parkinson's Disease as well as chronic conditions
The Options:that demand constant monitoring such as
Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing Facilities:diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
Studies show the process of aging is a muchAdditional services may include the provision of
better experience when you are able to age intransportation, podiatry, physical, occupational, and
place and remain in the home environment.  Forspeech therapy services, weekly outings, exercise
this reason, assisted living or skilled nursing facilitiesclasses, salon services, and caregiver respite
may not be the best option for your loved one. support groups.
In addition to the trauma associated with movingAdult day care centers are usually open from 7
someone from the home to an assisted caream to 6 pm, from Monday to Friday. Some
environment, one must also consider the high costcenters are also available during the evenings and
of care as these facilities can range from $3,000on Saturday and/or Sunday or provide in-home
to more than $10,000 per month.care during those times.
In-Home Care:  While this solution would allow aThe average cost for adult day care is much less
loved one to remain in their home, the fact is thatthan a visit from a home health nurse and about
home health care can still be very isolating. a quarter of the cost of skilled nursing facility.
Studies have shown that seniors who feel lonelyAssistance with funding is available from Long
are twice as likely to develop dementia as well asTerm Care Insurance and Medicaid. In some
have a significant increase in heart disease andareas, funding assistance may also be available
depression. Not only is in-home care sociallyfrom the Veteran's Administration, nursing home
isolating, but the cost of home care can be verydiversion programs, and other entitlement
prohibitive for many families.programs.
In-home care agencies often have a high rate ofA checklist for comparing adult day care centers
staff turnover. It places a burden on the family toin addition to identifying locations is available on the
orient and supervise new caregivers, not towebsite of the National Adult Day Services
mention the difficulties everyone may haveAssociation (
adjusting to frequently changing staff. BecauseAdult day care centers are the most cost
the caregivers work without direct supervision iteffective way to help seniors age in place and
can be difficult for the agencies to ensure theprovide much needed respite for family
quality of care.  The family may feel they needcaregivers. For more information or to find a
to carefully watch over them as well.center near you, visit SarahCare® Adult Day
Adult Day Care Services: Seniors who attendCare Services (sarahcare.com).
adult day centers have varied opportunities to