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Long Term Care Options: Adult Day Care Centers

Adult day care centers (ADCC) are non-residential facilities
that provide social support and assistance in performing daily activities such
as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, continence and transferring for people
who can’t perform them on their own. These centers are great help for people
who want to grow old in the comforts of their homes.
Aside from providing long term care to adults, these centers
also give seniors an opportunity to socialize and promote their overall
wellbeing through interactive activities. Furthermore, they also offer relief
to family caregivers, giving them the freedom to work or relax during day time.
 ADCC usually operate
from 10-12 hours during daytime. They are often located in senior centers,
churches, hospitals and nursing facilities. The following are some of the
services they offer:
·
Counseling
·
Education
·
Evening care
·
Exercise
·
Health screening
·
Meals
·
Medical care
·
Physical therapy
·
Recreation
·
Respite care
·
Socialization
·
Supervision
·
Transportation
·
Medication Management
 How to choose an
adult day care center?
Before signing up with an adult day care program, it is
important to learn about the quality of care provided by the center. There is
very little regulation imposed on ADCC so there’s a good chance that their
services vary. Visit the centers near your area, talk with the staff and the
families of seniors who are enrolled in the center and ask for feedback. If
possible, choose a center that provides transportation services so you wouldn’t
have to worry about coming to and from the center.
The costs of ADCC vary but according to the 2012 Costs of
Care Survey commissioned by Genworth Financial, the average median cost in the
US is $61 per day. Most long term care insurance policies cover ADCC services.

If you are looking for an adult day care center in your
area, the Eldercare Locator, a public service provided by the Administration on
Aging, can help you. You may reach them at phone number 1-800-677-1116. For
more information about your long term care options, visit https://www.altcp.org/.