Caring at Home: How to Find Help Part II: Adult Day Care

[ABSTRACT]

When seeking support for dementia care, an alternative to home care is an adult day care program. An adult day program runs 5 days a week, 7 to 8 hours a day, and provides social engagement, mental stimulation and nutritious meals. The daily activities typically include discussions of current events, gentle exercises for core strength and balance, arts and crafts and music. Not every adult day care program is geared to those with dementia. Some people think that all adult day programs work with dementia patients, but programs that are geared to dementia or memory loss are more likely to work well.

Caregivers often feel guilty when arranging for adult day care, thinking that it is solely to give them a break from the strains of constant caregiving. However, people with dementia are often very isolated, interacting only their spouse or immediate family members. By attending an adult day program, the participants get the stimulation of a larger community. They are able to participate in activities that are not available at home. At its best, adult day care is a “win-win” situation for both caregiver and patient.

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Photo Credit: St. Charles Parish Library