With more seniors choosing to live with adult children who work full-time, adult day care centers offer a valuable service. It allows the senior to socialize, engage in activities and receive proper care during the time that the family members either work outside of the home or need a break from caregiving. These centers provide assistance with activities of daily living as well as social outlets. Most of them also provide medical services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Adult Day Care Centers are much more than babysitting services for the elderly. They offer art, music, exercise, various classes and games/social activities. All of these activities center around a therapeutic purpose. The seniors who participate cover a broad range of ages and abilities. If you have a loved one who could benefit from the services provided at an adult day care center, below are a few tips for choosing the right one:
- Location: Start by researching the locations that are most accessible to your home. Some facilities even provide transportation to and from the center.
- Licensing: Find out how long the center has been in business and what types of licenses are held. Some are licensed by the Maryland Department of Health. Read online reviews as well as any substantiated complaints.
- Affordability: Determine how the center charges for its services. Is it a monthly fee or broken down to only the days visited or even an hourly rate? Is there a minimum commitment required? Ask about financial aid if the costs are problematic. Make sure to get information on any add-on services such as meals, transportation or extra activities.
- Level of Care: Some centers focus only on social programming while others also provide different levels of medical care. There are also specialized adult day care centers that focus on patients with cognitive issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s. If your loved one has certain limitations such as being in a wheelchair, blindness or low vision, hearing issues or behavioral concerns then inquire with the center as to how those issues will be addressed.
- Staffing: Make sure the ratio of staff to attendees is low enough to provide an adequate level of safety. Ask other families who attend how they would rate the facilities and the staff members. Inquire about the longevity of the staff and the turnover rate.
- Amenities: Visit the center to make sure it is clean and odorless. Observe the attendees to ensure they are engaged and having a pleasant experience.
- Safety: Check to make sure that the facilities are properly lit and secure so that seniors cannot wander off or leave without a proper checkout.
Finding the right facility may take some research on the front end but will be well worth it. Being able to send your loved one to an adult day care center for proper care and fun activities can make a huge difference for the whole family. At Stouffer Legal, we care about our seniors. For more information on long-term care planning contact our elder law attorneys for a consultation. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599, emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com, or register for an upcoming free webinar using the link below:
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