PATIENT AND FAMILY SERVICES blank

Adult Day Care:
A Respite for Caregivers

banner

blank

Adult Day Care has two primary objectives when providing caregiving assistance. A day center provides necessary respite for caregivers and provides a supportive, caring environment for persons with physical and cognitive impairments.

A common concern expressed by caregivers when they are considering day care is the fear that their relative will be unwilling to attend a center. Fears usually arise for two reasons: 1) the caregiver feels dominated and victimized by the relative and may even be worried about physical retaliation; 2) the caregiver is afraid of "letting go" of the relative and is uneasy about being left alone. In practice, the patient who attends a day center usually is quite compliant, even though he/she may grumble at times about going.

It is important to give time for the patient to adjust to his/her new routine. Similarly, usually it does not take long for the caregiver to relish his/her new found freedom. It is common to see that a successful adult day care placement is rewarded by an improvement in the patient's behavior at home as well as a significant decrease in the caregiver's sense of burden.

Through use of this checklist, you should be able to ascertain how well a day care center is equipped to fill its goal of providing respite for caregivers.

  1. Is it convenient and accessible?
  2. Is it a safe, secure environment?
  3. Does it provide or arrange for transportation?
  4. Is there a place to isolate sick persons?
  5. Are its service hours appropriate for you?
  6. What days is it open?
  7. What is the cost - hourly or daily charge, other charges, financial assistance?
  8. Are there benefits, such as regular professional testing for blood pressure, annual immunizations, hair styling services, dental check-ups, podiatrist? (There may be fees for some of the above, but it may be a time-saver for the caregiver!)
  9. Is there a minimum amount of attendance time required?
  10. What is the notification policy for absence?
  11. What is the policy for late arrival or late pick-up?
  12. How do you terminate service? Are there discharge criteria?
  13. Is there a quiet place for conferences?

It is important for a day center to meet the needs of the confused adult. Use this checklist for ascertaining how well the center is equipped to meet the needs of your family member.

  1. Is a comprehensive assessment completed prior to admission, including an evaluation of the client's medical needs, social and family history, cognitive functioning, and social skills?
  2. Does the program offer the particular services you need such as physical, speech and occupational therapy, personal care (bathing, shampoos, shaving), and family counseling?
  3. What is the number of staff per participant?
  4. What training, education, and practical experience does the staff have in dealing with care-receivers whose needs are comparable to those of your loved one?
  5. Is there a formal process for reviewing a client's needs and evaluating a client's participation on a regular basis?
  6. Is there an accessible and easy-to-talk-to person available to discuss your loved one's special needs, level of participation, when problems arise?
  7. Can staff dispense medication?
  8. Is assistance provided with eating, walking, toileting?
  9. Does the facility provide total access to wheelchair restricted clients?
  10. Does the staff effectively communicate with hearing-impaired participants?
  11. Are there specific behaviors which would warrant your loved one's discharge from the center?
  12. How do staff members handle behavioral problems patients have? (It is best to be as honest as possible with the intake coordinator about behavioral problems your relative is having. Some programs cannot handle certain problems, and it is important for the staff to know what type of behavior to expect.)
  13. How does the facility manage incontinence?
  14. Is the facility prepared to cope with wandering, speech difficulties, and special dietary requirements?
  15. Is there variety and choice of individual and group activities?
  16. Do volunteers help?
  17. How does the staff handle a participant's unwillingness to actively participate?
  18. Are the meals nutritious and attractively served? (It is best if you can eat a meal there.)
  19. Is the staff and facility neat, clean, and orderly in appearance?
  20. Are there programs/activities which involve the family?
  21. Does the center feel comfortable, both physically and emotionally?
  22. Does the staff seem warm, cheerful and friendly?

The more time you can spend visiting a center, the better the sense you will have about the staff and program. Ultimately, only a trial period will tell you if the center can meet your needs. Be sure to give it a fair try!

Portions adapted from "Your Guide to Selecting an Adult Day Center," National Council on the Aging's National Institute on Adult Daycare, 1995.


In the Northern Virginia Chapter Service Area, for more information about Adult Daycare, please contact the Chapter's telephone Helpline at (703) 359-4440 or (866) 259-0042. Outside Northern Virginia, please contact your local Chapter.

Home | Contribute | Volunteer | Membership | What's New | Calendar of Events | Links | About Alzheimer's | Programs & Services | Search

Last updated: March 1, 1999

Please return to https://www.alz-nova.org or
call toll-free (866) 259-0042 or (703) 359-4440
for more information about services in Northern Virginia.

© 1997 - 2001 Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area. All rights reserved.

  1. https://www.ceteresopolitano.org/
  2. https://www.crossingstoronto.com/
  3. https://www.jediism.org/
  4. https://www.badenumc.org/
  5. https://www.johnsevierchapter.org/
  6. https://www.trinitychapelmn.org/
  7. https://www.photogearnews.com/
  8. https://www.alz-nova.org/
  9. https://www.cigjournals.com/
  10. https://summa-edu.com/
  11. https://cpawilmingtonnc.org/
  12. https://bimometals.com/
  13. https://sosenvironmental.com/
  14. https://thefriary.org/
  15. https://post5theatre.org/
  1. https://www.apadrecordings.com/
  2. https://www.covid19innovations.org/
  3. https://mrcofs.org/
  4. https://www.connyun.com/
  5. https://www.eaglehills.org/
  6. https://saomarcosdaserra.com/
  7. https://www.moonstruckrestaurant.com/
  8. https://admupol.org/
  9. https://www.afghanwomenconnect.org/
  10. https://datajournonepal.org/
  11. https://positiveactionforptsd.org/
  12. https://jpec.org/
  13. https://www.visithoustontexas.org/
  14. https://www.lacountycleanwater.org/
  15. https://www.50yearsinexile.org/