You’ve Got a Friend in Me
by Women’s Brain Health Initiative:
THE BENEFITS OF ADULT DAY CARE
Dedicated community resources for senior adults who require specific supervision, services, and care is becoming increasingly popular among the aging population – for both participants and their caregivers.
Adult day services, also commonly referred to as “adult day care,” is a growing approach to short-term supervised healthcare provided to older adults who suffer from various health conditions (such as Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia) or who are experiencing cognitive decline.
ADULT DAY CARE IS ALSO BENEFICIAL FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ISOLATED OR LONELY THAT COULD USE SOME LEVEL OF SOCIAL INTERACTION BUT REQUIRE SUPERVISED CARE.
At an adult day care centre, a strong network of trained professionals provides participants with specialized care in a safe and secure setting. Participants engage in a variety of activities based on their individual conditions and capabilities, including partaking in exercise regimes (e.g., yoga, Pilates) and arts and crafts, playing music and games (e.g., bingo, Scrabble, and memory-related activities), and discussing literature and films, as well as receive medical and other health-related services if required (e.g., therapy, special needs support, medication dispensing, and blood pressure monitoring).
Adult day care centres meet the needs of many older adults who require limited care and only fluctuating day services support.
The benefits of this approach to healthcare are both social and medical, and support the independence of an individual living in her or his community, and may help delay the transition into a long-term care facility.
The Benefits of Adult Day Services
· Safe and secure
· Supervised
· Social (reduces some of the feelings of
isolation and loneliness)
· Interactive
· Improves quality of life
· Promotes independence
· Decreases caregiver stress (offering a break
and emotional support, and alleviating burnout)
· Less expensive than long-term care
· Helps individuals form relationships with others
· Community-based care
There are a variety of names for adult day care facilities. In Australia and some European countries, the terms “respite” and “community care” are more common, while other countries may use the terms “community outreach,” “nursing homes,” and/or “support groups.”
Regardless of the specific name, when analyzing the global adult day care services market, adult day services are leaders in community-based care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementias. In fact, research indicates that nearly half of all participants have some level of dementia.
Additionally, approximately 90% of centres offer cognitive-stimulation programs, nearly 80% provide memory training programs, and more than 75% offer educational programs.
THE CARE PROVIDED BY ADULT DAY CARE MAY DELAY NURSING HOME PLACEMENT.
One of the global driving forces for adult day care centres is the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). The organization connects providers, educators, caregivers, and participants, offering education and resources to the global community and its membership.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN ADULT DAY SERVICE OFFERING
When looking for adult day service support, it is important to research the various service options available to find the specialized care that aligns with the unique needs of an individual.
According to a recent report by Forbes, there are more than 7,500 adult day care centres in the United States that provide services to older adults and approximately 80% of those programs have a nurse on staff, and nearly 50% employ a social worker. While onsite medical resources are critical, there are several additional factors worth considering, including:
REPUTATION – How long has the centre been in operation? Are there any testimonials? Can you speak with any caregivers about their participants’ experiences?
CREDENTIALS – Does the centre have any accreditations and/or licenses? How about their workers that interact with the participants? Any medical training?
LOCATION AND HOURS – Where is the centre located? Are there any outdoor opportunities that are safe? What are the hours of operation? Does that align with the caregiver’s schedule?
MEALS AND SNACKS – Does the centre offer meals and/or snacks? Can they accommodate special dietary requirements if necessary?
SERVICES – What level of services are provided? Basic services may include eating, medication management, and washroom support, while more advanced services may include specialized care for cognitive issues and physical therapy.
TRANSPORTATION – Does the centre offer door-to-door transportation for participants? If so, what is the cost?
COST – Is the centre a non-profit organization, medical centre, or senior organization? Costs may vary depending on the level of care offered and while such costs are not typically covered by insurance, financial assistance may be available.
In addition to researching the different options in your area, it is also highly recommended to visit the locations personally to better assess the environments and observe participants and staff in their interactive state.
If you require assistance locating an adult day care centre near you, consider reaching out to your local area dementia and Alzheimer’s associations to see what is available. The NADSA also provides links to the international network of adult day care centres on its website.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DURING A SITE VISIT:
· Do the participants seem happy and engaged when you are walking through the facility?
· What is the noise level like? Are there quiet areas as an alternative to the busy areas?
· What is the staff-to-participants ratio?
· Is it clean, organized, and safe? Any unpleasant odours?
· Is the space wheelchair accessible? Is there comfortable furniture that is conducive for lengthy intervals of sitting? How accessible are the washrooms?
· Are the meals and snacks healthy, decided by a qualified diet expert, and sensitive to participants' needs?
· Are the staff friendly and communicating openly with you during your visit? Are the staff well informed and answering your questions clearly?
THE ADJUSTMENT TO ADULT DAY SERVICES CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR IN COGNITIVE DECLINE AND MAY EVEN BE MET WITH SOME RESISTANCE.
Making the introduction to an adult day care centre should be a gradual transition, and may require you to visit the centre for an event and/or activity with the participant, and then slowly increase the frequency of the visits as she or he gets more comfortable with some of the familiar faces and the routines.
This process will not only give the participant a greater comfort level with the centre, but also will provide the caregiver with additional opportunities to observe (and continue to evaluate) the centre in full operation.
THE FUTURE OF ADULT DAY SERVICES
The world’s older population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 8.5% of the world’s population in 2015 was comprised of geriatrics (roughly 617 million people), and this figure is estimated to rise to over 1.6 billion by the end of 2050, accounting for nearly 17% of the world’s population.
In 2019, the global adult day services market was worth approximately US$842 billion and trends indicate that this is expected to surge approximately 8.5% and surpass US$1,755 billion by 2026.
THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR ADULT DAY SERVICES IS LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE GROWING AGING POPULATION AND THEIR ACCOMPANYING DECLINING HEALTH CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS THE STEADY RISE IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.
Additional challenges for participants or caregivers looking for adult day services will likely include price, accessibility, and resources. While some insurance programs may cover the cost or offer partial reimbursement, some do not support these kinds of programs whatsoever, and therefore all costs incurred may become a personal expense. In addition, the disparity between programs and where they are offered, as well as the ability to find qualified individuals to work at the centres and offer quality care to participants, are growing industry concerns.
While adult day services play a role in decreasing the overall burden on the healthcare system by offsetting and delaying the need for full-time long-term care (which in and of itself is an initial cost-saving alternative for participants and caregivers), one of the most positive impacts of adult day services is the priceless impact that it has by providing support and temporary relief for caregivers when they might need it the most.
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry in 2014 looked at 151 individuals who care for those with dementia. In an eight-day period, the caregivers showed higher levels of DHEA-S (a chemical that helps protect the body against the damaging effects of stress and may reduce the risks of illness) on days after their loved ones spent time in adult day care.
THE RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT REGULAR USE OF SUCH SERVICES ALLOWED CAREGIVERS’ BODIES TO MOUNT A PROTECTIVE AND RESTORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE PHYSIOLOGIC DEMANDS OF CAREGIVING.
Researching (and ultimately taking advantage of) the adult day services in your area is well worth the time and effort. The opportunity to engage with others socially in a safe and secure environment, while continuing to nurture cognitive needs with stimulating activities, increases an individual’s feeling of independence and helps improve the quality of life for participants and their caregivers. Since an individual’s required level of services will evolve over time, the earlier she or he engages in an adult day care environment the better.
Examples of Adult Day Care Activities
· Social activities/recreation
· Mental interaction
· Meals and snacks
· Physical, therapeutic,
and/or occupational exercise
· Health-related services
· Speech therapy
· Medication management