What is an Adult Daycare Centre?
Essentially, an adult daycare centre (or adult day program), typically available through hospitals, senior's associations and continuing care centres, provides support and appropriate programming for dependent adults. These seniors will be engaged with any number of social activities within a secure environment while being safely monitored.
Certainly not to be overlooked is the necessary breather (also known as respite) which these types of adult programs provide for caregivers. With qualified staff providing competent care for a loved one, a family caregiver can break free of his/her responsibilities (whether it be for a full day or even just a couple of hours) to enjoy some other activity. Caregivers routinely focus much of their time, attention, energy and resources on a loved one and often completely ignore their own needs. Caregivers need some time away to go shopping, workout at the gym, rest and read quietly or meet a friend for coffee — caregivers can choose any activity which appeals to them. By doing so, the caregiver can successfully remove him/herself from a potentially highly stressful situation and not risk the imminent burn-out which many caregivers experience.
Caregivers can also benefit by knowing that, through an adult day program, their loved one's quality of life is enhanced. With being encouraged to keep active and mobile (both mentally and physically), a senior can often effectively remain in society longer and delay his/her final move into long-term care.
Yet another benefit of adult day programs is that caregivers can draw on the wealth of staff experience and knowledge. Day program workers will be very familiar with healthcare-related programs and services and be able to offer referrals for additional help, when necessary, to family caregivers.
I found when arranging for Dad to participate in an adult day program (so as to provide Mom some time to rest), that the daily cost was quite reasonable. The only disadvantage I recall was that my family had to coordinate Dad’s transportation. We began by using a local business to drive him both to and from the day program. While this worked well, for the most part, Dad would occasionally miss his ride, and I, or one of my sisters, would be called upon to drive him. If a family member did not transport Dad, we would have to ensure that the other driver would physically accompany him inside the building at either his pick-up or drop-off locations so as to guarantee that Dad safely arrived.
Adult day programs are worth looking into! Both you and your loved one deserve it!
Rick Lauber is the author of Caregiver's Guide for Canadians: http://www.self-counsel.com/default/caregiver-s-guide-for-canadians.html. As a former caregiver, Lauber shares his own experiences and lessons learned. This guidebook is a valuable resource and speaks on many issues of relevance to caregivers.
