Adult day care is a planned program of activities in a professional care setting designed for older adults who require supervised care during the day, or those who are isolated and lonely. Adult day care centres enable seniors to socialise and enjoy planned activities in a group setting, while still receiving needed health services. At the same time, they offer family caregivers respite from caregiving duties while knowing that their loved one is in a safe place. Services vary between facilities, including the level of care offered. While one type of centre focuses mainly on social and recreation services, with a few health-related and personal care services, another type will provide more comprehensive medical and therapeutic services. These could include physical, occupational, or speech therapy, for example, or medical services administered by a registered nurse or other health professional. Finally, a third type of facility will offer specialised services for adults with a specific health condition, such as dementia or a disability. Adult day care centres tend to operate during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, although some services may be available in the evenings or at weekends. Whatever the range of services, the intent is primarily two-fold:
Whether you’re looking at daycare services for yourself or an older adult you’re caring for, these tips can help you find the centre that best fits your needs.
Services provided by adult day care centres
A well-run adult day care centre’s goals will focus on enriching participants’ lives, building upon their skills and strengths, and providing lots of social interaction. Each facility differs in terms of features, but services may include:Social activities.
Planned activities tend to be tailored to the participant's abilities and health conditions but may encompass such things as arts and crafts, musical entertainment and sing-a-longs, mental stimulation games such as bingo, stretching or other gentle exercise, discussion groups (for books, films, or current events, for example), holiday and birthday celebrations, and local outings.Nutrition.
Daycare centres provide seniors with nutritious meals, including those that accommodate special diets, along with snacks.Personal care.
Centre staff can help with the activities of daily living such as grooming, toilet hygiene, walking, and feeding.