When Dick Lundgren realized that caring for his wife was taking a toll on his own health, he turned to adult day care.
Lundgren, who lives south of Seattle, found a program that catered to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and made arrangements for his wife, Dorothee, to go there two days a week.
The break was good for both of them, said Lundgren, whose wife was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease seven years ago. He recently placed her in a group home that provides round-the-clock care to six residents.
“I firmly believe, looking back, that [day care] gave me a chance to keep my wife home a year longer,” the 61-year-old said.
Finding the right adult day care center can offer respite to caregivers while giving their charges a chance to socialize and take part in supervised activities. Facilities vary from those that focus on medical care to those that are mostly recreational, offering games, gardening or crafts.
There are about 3,500 providers across the country, according to industry experts, who say the number grows annually. In recent years, churches, nursing homes and national franchises have opened day care centers.
Medicaid or private insurance occasionally will pay for the care, which can range in price from $31 a day to $130 a day. The average cost is about $61 a day, according to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, in Washington. Many facilities offer a sliding scale based on income.
Deciding what works best for your family requires doing some homework, said Elinor Ginzler of the AARP, the senior advocacy group.
• First, decide whether the older person needs a health-based program staffed with medical professionals. Even a more recreational center should have a nurse or doctor on staff. Patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other chronic health conditions probably require a center that focuses on care.
• The AARP or local Area Agency on Aging should have a list of providers. Only about 6 percent of adult day care centers are accredited, but most are inspected by state agencies, said Peter Notarstefano of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Practices and policies vary by state, but the inspection records should be available for review, Ginzler said.
• Visit the facility to meet the staff and ask about its training policies, experts advise. Watch the interactions between staff and clients, the quality of the programs, and the cleanliness of eating areas and bathrooms.
