Adult day care often has a negative stigma associated with it. Many caregivers don’t want to enroll their loved one into adult day care. They feel that it is degrading to their loved one. However, adult day care comes with tremendous benefits for caregivers and senior citizens. On a long-term basis, it can be much more beneficial to a senior citizen compared to sitting at home waiting for a caregiver to return.
What Is Adult Day Care?
Adult day care provides senior citizens with an opportunity to participate in an assortment of activities such as exercise, entertainment, art, outings, and more. The programs often focus on social interaction, medical care, and Alzheimer’s care. Adult day cares typically operate during normal business hours. They help senior citizens keep busy through activities and socialization while maintaining a safe environment.
Benefits for Caregivers
Adult day care serves as a tremendous help for caregivers and can reduce the stress that is often placed on them. If left at home alone, many seniors are prone to falls or could even be a wander risk. Caregivers do not need to be worried about their loved ones while they are being cared for and entertained at adult day care. Many caregivers believe they will feel guilty if they enroll their loved one into an adult day care program. However, it can actually reduce guilt. Caregivers will experience a true peace of mind from adult day care that they could not get when their loved one was at home alone.
Benefits for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens, especially those that struggle with cognitive impairments, find comfort in routine and structure. They will become used to getting up daily and going to participate in adult day care activities. They will grow connected to the people that they meet there. Adult day care can also help senior citizens gain a sense of independence knowing they have somewhere to be. Seniors will be able to socialize with others, helping their cognitive functions. They can be entertained by physical exercise, live entertainment, and art courses, things that cannot be provided at home, all while remaining safe.
Consider These Factors
When choosing an adult day care for your loved one, it is important that you choose the right one for you and for them. Ask the staff questions so you feel comfortable with your final decision. Ask about the cost, the services, and the hours they are open to understand if these things all work for you. Talk to your loved one about what courses or programs they’d be interested in and narrow it down to the places that offer those. You should also consider if transportation is provided and how emergency situations are handled if they occur.
If you are a caregiver that is exhausted physically and mentally, constantly trying to make sure your loved one is safe and accounted for, consider an adult day care program to ease some of that stress. For more advice on how to care for your senior loved ones, check out our other blog posts.
