The adult daycare center is a non-residential safe space for the senior citizens who need professional supervision during the day or the ones who have undergone a medical condition, where they are provided with medical and non-medical services. The services can include socializing activities, health services like nursing and nutritional dietary plans, and trained professionals who help them in their daily life activities such as; self-grooming, personal hygiene, and feeding.
Adult daycare centers help the senior citizens to be able to socialize with their fellow adults, keep their health in check, and plans activities suitable for them. On the other hand, it gives a much-needed break to the caregivers or the children looking after their parents. Adult daycare centers usually run from the early hours of the morning till evening, which makes it easier for the caregivers to go to their jobs without worrying about the older adults.
With this being said, sometimes caregivers or family members are most concerned about how their loved ones are going to adjust to the new environment with new faces that they don’t know. But the services being provided at adult daycare centers can help bring a change in the personalities and behaviors of the seniors.
Generally, there are three types of adult daycare, one that only provides medical assistance to those who have undergone a medical condition, the second who essentially pivots around socializing or social interactions, and the third is called the Specialised centers, which deals with the clients who have a specific medical condition, for example, individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, etc.
A good and well-established Adult care Centre assists the older adults in building their skills based upon their weaknesses and strengths. The main aim of these centers is to improve or enhance the way of living of their clients. The services or activities that are usually used in the centers are:
1. SOCIALISING ACTIVITIES
Socialising is the first and foremost priority of the non-medical services as socializing has a positive effect on the human mind which in turn makes the body physically refreshed as well. The activities that are introduced are strictly modified as per the client need and adaptability.
It includes Crafting and arts, cooking, games such as bingo or simple board games, gardening, suitable trips to nearby places, music therapy which can include fun karaoke parties, maybe celebrating a participant’s birthday at the daycare, tea parties and making the participants watch a movie together.
You may also read our Guide to Selecting Fun Games for Seniors for more ideas when it comes to games and activities for your elderly loved ones.
2. PERSONAL CARE
Professionals at the centers assist the elders in their daily life activities such as self-grooming where they help them in taking care of their physical appearances like cutting nails and brushing hair etc. Personal hygiene includes toilet hygiene, cleaning themselves after every meal, taking the medicines as per the doctor’s advice, walking for an appropriate period and taking a good rest.
You may also check out our article about Elderly Health Care Issues & Solutions for more information.
3. NUTRITIONAL DIET PLAN
One of the main concerns for the elderly is the food that they eat. Daycare makes sure that they get the right portion of all the vitamins, carbs, and protein. They plan a well-thought-out diet to accommodate the participants based on their personal needs and liking.
4. MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical or health services mainly include the monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar levels, any discomfort or symptoms shown by a participant, visual assessment, hearing checks, speech therapy, and counseling.
5. SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS
In addition to the services provided to the clients the adult daycare center provides services to the caregivers as well such as counseling, briefing on how to take care of the elderly at home, and groups to help them interact with other caregivers.
And if you get lucky some centers provide transportation for their clients as well, which takes some burden off of the family members.
BENEFITS
Adult daycare centers are like a two-way road that benefits both the attending and unattended parties. Dispensing the clients with care and providing the guardian with a necessary break.
FOR THE ELDERLY:
The adult day care lays out all the services mentioned above to amplify and modify their style of life and some of the benefits they gain are such as:
- The center allows them to socialize with their fellow seniors and be comfortable in an open and safe environment.
- Exercises help them to be more active and impact their health positively. Gentle exercises like stretching and yoga relax the body.
- In addition to exercises, Counselling aids them to be in a more fresh, relaxed, and peaceful state of mind.
- It permits them a break from the caregiver.
- Provides them with a space where they can do whatever makes them happy.
- Suitable less intense physical exercises to help prevent unwanted accidents.
- They have people with them constantly in case of emergencies.
- Educational activities make them aware of their surroundings and what’s going on in the world.
- Significant social interactions improve both the mental and physical health of an individual.
- Mental stimulation during socializing and other interactive activities enhance the quality of sleep.
- Provides a sense of independence, laying the caregiver off from being careful all the time.
- Participation in activities and interactions with others increases self-esteem and confidence.
- Meeting with fellow seniors and spending time with them aids in building or strengthening the ability to make new relations.
- Lays out a routine so that they can do all those activities at home as well, prolonging their stay at home without the assistance of a guardian.
FOR THE CAREGIVER
To be able to care for a loved one that to a full-grown one, you need to be healthy both physically and mentally, so don’t feel guilty about using the services provided at the adult daycare as it can help your loved one as well as you.
If you are burned out by all the work, it could lead to you and your loved one being unsatisfied with each other which, in turn, would result in most probably poor communication or resentment.
- Provides the guardian with a sense of security that their loved one is in safe hands.
- They can go to their jobs without having a black cloud of worry on their heads.
- Gives them a break from all the responsibilities.
- Prevents burnout from overworking.
- Would relieve the guardian from the worry of a loved one being home alone and unsupervised.
- Reduces stress.
- Lessen the chances of depression and other psychological discomforts.
- Have the time to look after their needs.
Choose special daycare for your elders
Caregivers or guardians should always survey several daycare centers and check that all the necessary services are being provided, which can help bring a change in their loved ones’ lifestyles. Alleviate physical and mental health.
The adult daycare centers are a growing business with certified professionals that knows how to efficiently deal with the senior citizens which gives the caregivers reassurance that their loved ones are in safe hands and they need not worry.