Sept. 17-23 is National Adult Day Services Week. Every year, this important week is recognized to honor the beneficial services adult day care centers provide to seniors, disabled individuals, and their overwhelmed caregivers.
This special week has been celebrated annually since it was proclaimed on September 27, 1983, by former President Ronald Reagan to raise awareness of the availability and accessibility of adult day programs nationwide.
CHP operates adult day centers in Archbold, Celina and Van Wert in which older adults, adults living with dementia, or adults living with disabilities receive individualized therapeutic, social, and health services for some part of the day.
Adult day centers provide a coordinated program of services designed to provide social and health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day. They also afford caregivers respite from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving.
CHP adult day centers are open during normal business hours five days a week. Caregivers can choose the type of care and the length and frequency of services based on their loved one’s needs. Services offered include:
- Social activities—interaction with other participants in planned, appropriate activities
- Transportation—door-to-door service
- Meals and snacks—participants are provided with meals and snacks, including those with special dietary needs
- Personal care—help with toileting, grooming, eating and other personal activities of daily living
- Therapeutic activities—exercise and mental interaction for all participants
“Adult Day Centers can be beneficial in a variety of ways such as improving the recipient’s overall behavior and provide the caregiver with much needed time off,” said Jenni Whitaker of CHP’s Celina Adult Day Center. “We focus primarily on social interaction, activities, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care.”
Other services include structured daily activities, assistance with eating, taking medications, toileting, walking, mental stimulation, exercise programs, health monitoring such as blood pressure and food intake as well as education and resources for the family.
“There is one direct care worker for every six participants, which enables us to deliver individualized, person-centered care while enabling staff and volunteers to care for complex needs,” Whitaker said.
Adult day services provide benefits to family caregivers such as time away from care-taking responsibilities, peace of mind and reduced stress. Recent studies showed that adult day services boost beneficial stress hormones in caregivers.
According to researchers at Penn State and the University of Texas at Austin, caregivers of family members with dementia who attend an adult day care service at least two days a week showed an increase in the beneficial stress hormone DHEA-S on days when they use an adult day care service. DHEA-S controls the harmful effects of cortisol and is associated with better long-term health.
The average cost for adult day services is $54 per day or $1,080 a month and may be covered through Passport, VA, Ohio Home Care Waiver or Private Pay. CHP adult day centers offer transportation to those who qualify for an addition charge.
“Adult day services provide a reliable source of support, restore balance in times of crisis, and enhance overall quality of life for caregivers,” said Whitaker. “In most cases, adult day care is far less expensive than moving a loved one to a skilled nursing facility. “