SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING
Adult Day Care
Services
Finding the best center for
your needs.
W
ith life expectancy rising, more and more of us find we need
assistance as we age. Adult day care centers are designed
for older adults who can no longer manage independently,
or who are isolated and lonely. They enable seniors to socialize with
others while still receiving needed care services. At the same time, they
offer caregivers a break from caregiving duties while knowing that their
loved one is in good hands.
What is an adult day care center?
Adult day care is a planned program of activities designed to
promote well-being through social and health-related services. Adult
day care centers operate during daytime hours, Monday through
Friday, in a safe, supportive, cheerful environment. Nutritious meals
that accommodate special diets are typically included, along with an
afternoon snack.
Adult day care centers can be public or private, nonprofit or for-profit.
The intent of an adult day care center is primarily two-fold:
• To provide older adults an opportunity to get out of the house and
receive both mental and social stimulation.
• To give caregivers a much-needed break in which to attend to
personal needs, or simply rest and relax.
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Regulation of adult day care centers
According to the National Adult Day Services Association
(NADSA), there are currently more than 4,600 adult day care centers
in the United States. Each state provides different regulations for the
operation of adult day care centers, although NADSA offers some
overall guidelines in its Standards and Guidelines for Adult Day Care.
NADSA recommends a minimum staff-to-participant ratio of
one to six. This ratio can be even smaller, depending upon the level
of participant impairment. If a program serves a large proportion of
participants with dementia, for example, the ratio should be closer to
one to four.
Staffing of adult day care centers
Though each adult day care center is staffed according to the needs
of its participants, most programs operate with:
• Activity staff, usually an activity director and assistants
• Program assistants who aid with personal care
• A social worker
• A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
• A center director
• Centers that serve a large number of participants may also employ
a driver, secretary, and accountant.
Source: National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
Adult day care center vs. adult day health care
A social adult day care center differs from adult day health care,
which usually requires a health assessment by a physician before
someone is admitted into the program. Adult day health centers, which
typically use the term “Adult Day Health Care” (ADHC) in their
names, often provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and
are usually staffed with an RN and other health professionals. A third
type of day care provides social and health services specifically for
seniors with Alzheimer’s or a related type of dementia.