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Conditions We Treat
What Is Adult Day Care?
Welcome home, Grandma!— Katharine McGlone returns from adult day care to be greeted by grandchildren Meagan, 3, and Sean, 5. She lives with her son Kevin and daughter-in law Dineen (in background) in Macungie. Caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s or other serious health problems can be very stressful—but it doesn’t have to be a 24-hour responsibility, thanks to a concept called adult day care. “Adult day care centers provide specialized care for the patient and an all-important respite for the caregiver,” says Anne Yawman, M.D., a geriatrician (specialist in care of the elderly) at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Adult day care centers are staffed by registered nurses and other professionals. Most of their patients have some type of cognitive impairment. They come in for all or part of the day, for a planned program of activities such as arts and crafts, singalongs, mental stimulation games and discussion groups. “People with cognitive impairment do better when they’re engaged in appropriate activities,” Yawman says, “and that can be difficult to provide at home, where the caregiver is juggling other responsibilities.” sign up now
You’re About to Become a Caregiver How do you know when the time is right for this resource? “Adult day care is a good answer when your loved one can no longer structure his or her own daily activities, feels isolated or can’t be left alone,” Yawman says. The cost ranges from $25-$70 or more per day, depending on where you live and the services provided. Medicaid does not cover adult day care, but some insurers do, and many centers use a sliding fee scale. “When I meet with a patient who’s developing symptoms of dementia, I typically talk with the family right away about adult day care,” Yawman says. “If you’re in this situation, bring up the subject with your physician.” Want to Know More? For a list of adult day care facilities in the Lehigh Valley, call 610-402-CARE or click here. Choosing an Adult Day CenterYou do a great job of looking after your elderly loved one, but now and then you need a break from caregiving. An adult day care center could be the solution. To choose a center that’s right for you, keep these tips in mind: Adults with mental or physical disabilities still need a sense of purpose. Ask if your loved one could perform a “job” at the center such as setting the table at lunch or helping those in wheelchairs. They need activities, too. Look for a center that offers activities for people with different levels of functioning. For example, mind-stimulating games or current events discussions are good for people with early signs of dementia. Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2007 This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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