Adult Day Care: Features To Look For & Questions To Ask
Adult day care might be the perfect home care supplement for seniors who are aging in place! It offers professional care, socialization, and enrichment opportunities in a group setting. Programs grant respite to caregivers and are designed to promote quality of life for both participants and their families.
Accommodations and costs will vary. So, it’s important to first know what you’re looking for. Then, you’ll be able to gather some options near you to compare.
Adult day care generally falls into 3 categories: the social model, health care model, and specialized care model. Here are the most common features to look for and some questions to ask when looking for adult day care:
Social Adult Day Care
Social adult day care is all about enrichment, recreation, and socialization. Centers that offer a social model will feature engaging activities and group exercises. Participants are encouraged to connect with one another, have fun, and stay active. Some moderate health supports such as blood pressure screening or glucose testing can sometimes be offered too. Here are some common social model features to look for:
- Creative enrichment
- Arts and crafts
- Mentally stimulating activities such as games and group discussions
- Local outings and community-involved recreation (i.e. picnics or helping out at a community garden)
- Exercise
- Help with ADLs
Social Adult Day Care Questions to Ask:
- Are meals and snacks provided and do they cost more?
- What types of health supports are provided, if any?
- Is door-to-door transportation included?
- What type of transportation is provided for community outings?
- What is the staff-to-participant ratio?
- How is participation billed (daily, weekly, or monthly)?
Related: What Is Respite Care?
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC)
Adult day health care (ADHC) provides both social activities and more intensive medical services. These types of programs are for those who have chronic conditions or more advanced impairments. ADHC may offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies during the day, when needed. The staff usually consists of professionals with healthcare training. Here are some features that you should keep an eye out for:
- On-site healthcare
- Medication management
- Creative enrichment through art and music
- Mentally stimulating activities
- Help with ADLs and IADLs
ADHC Questions to Ask:
- Are meals and snacks provided and do they cost more?
- What type of training do staff members have?
- Which types of conditions is the center equipped to provide care for?
- Is there quick access to emergency services?
- Is door-to-door transportation included?
- Is health support at an additional cost?
- What is the staff-to-participant ratio?
- How is participation billed (daily, weekly, or monthly)?
Specialized Adult Day Care
Specialized adult day care provides services for those with specific conditions or needs. It’s ideal for seniors who have cognitive or physical impairments. Some facilities will specialize in care for seniors with dementia. Others focus on adults who have developmental disabilities. Here are some common features of the specialized adult day care model:
- Creative enrichment through art and music
- Mentally stimulating activities and games like BINGO or cards
- Exercise
- On-site health professionals
- Medication management
- A secure environment to prevent accidents
Specialized Adult Day Care Questions to Ask:
- How are staff members trained?
- Are meals and snacks provided and do they cost more?
- Is there quick access to emergency services?
- Which conditions are the center equipped to provide care for?
- How is the center secured for safety?
- Are there additional safety supports such as signage and grab bars around the center?
- Is there a safe outdoor space for participants to enjoy?
- How is participation billed (daily, weekly, or monthly)?
Choosing the Best Adult Day Care
Choosing adult day care as part of your loved one’s continuum of care will benefit them and you! The right program can entertain and engage while providing caregivers with the time they need to work, run errands, or even just take a rest! If you’re ready to start looking for adult day care near you, then start here!
For more info on adult day care, try these resources:
5 Benefits of Adult Day Care For Seniors
What Services Are Provided By Adult Day Care?
National Adult Day Services Association
Do you need something else?
Whether it’s time for a change, or you’re just doing some research, we can help! At SeniorResource.com, we believe in the empowerment of older adults and their caregivers through knowledge. But, we also understand that at this juncture of life, time is your most valuable asset. So, why waste it doing another internet search? Senior Resource is your one-stop spot for all things retirement. We do the work and find all the facts, just so you don’t have to!
SeniorResource.com exists to provide aging adults, retirees, and caregivers with applicable, and educational content, relevant to the over 55 community. As such, we address topics like senior housing, nursing care, and aging in place.
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Originally published June 07, 2022
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