What Is Adult Day Care – Forbes Health – Forbes

To find an adult day care center near you, visit NADSA’s website and use its “find a center” tool. Your community’s local Area Agency on Aging is another good resource for finding adult day care in your area. You can also ask friends, co-workers and relatives for their recommendations of local adult day care centers.

In choosing the best adult day care center for your loved one, Majchrzak offers the following tips.

Ask About the Staff

Before committing to a specific location or program, learn more about the experience and qualifications of the staff. Do they have registered nurses, social workers, caregivers with dementia training or certified nursing assistants on site? What is the ratio of staff members to clients? If your loved one needs physical, occupational or speech therapy—or if they need help with medications or incontinence care throughout the day—find out if the center can arrange those services as well.

Inquire About Current Participants

Ask about the center’s current clientele. Does the center provide services for people with different types of impairments? Do they provide specific services for individuals with dementia?

Keep an Open Mind

“Consider making your first visit without the individual in need of care; then visit together for lunch or an activity,” says Majchrzak. He also suggests using adult day care services at least twice weekly for one month before making a final decision.

“Some people may be resistant to going to the center in the beginning but often look forward to visiting after attending for a few weeks,” he says. “If adult day care doesn’t work out, consider taking a break and reintroducing it at a later time.”

Check Special Needs Services

For those caring for someone with special needs, be sure to ask appropriate questions to ensure the center can care for your loved one properly. For example, is the center equipped to care for someone who uses a wheelchair, is visually impaired, experiences incontinence or requires a Hoyer lift or blood glucose monitoring? If not, you may need to look elsewhere.

Selecting an adult day care program is an important decision that shouldn’t be made lightly.  Take your time and ask plenty of questions to ensure your loved one will receive the care and attention they deserve.