This month’s questions comes from someone who is wondering how social day care and adult day health programs differ.
Remember if you have caregiving questions email them to CareToAskCMAA@gmail.com.
Remember if you have caregiving questions email them to CareToAskCMAA@gmail.com.
Q. I am currently taking care of my uncle and I think he would benefit from some sort of a day program to socialize and be with others during the day while I am at work. Currently he is at the house all day by himself and he complains he is bored. I am confused on if we should look into social day care programs or adult day health programs. What is the difference between these two programs?
A. Social day care and adult day health programs are extremely valuable and important programs. These programs allow older adults to continue to reside in a community setting while allowing the informal caregiver to have a break during the day. There are differences between the care provided at social day care and adult day health programs. The level of care the older adult needs will determine which program is the best for them.
Both programs are offered during the day Monday-Friday, with some now offering extended evening and/or weekend hours. Most programs prefer that a person attend at least 2 days per week so the participant and staff get to know each other. Both programs offer socialization activities as well as nutritious meals and snacks. Transportation may be provided to and from the center.
Social Day programs, which may also be called Adult Day Care, focus on the socialization of the older adult allowing them to maintain structure and focus in their day. This type of program is best suited for the older adult who is still independent and does not require hands on assistance with any of their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring, but require more supervision and structure than is provided at the local senior center. Social day care is not appropriate for those who need medication administration, wander or require constant redirection during the day. It is appropriate for the person who can take their own medications after a reminder is given or needs occasional redirection or cueing during the day.
If your uncle needs more care that what can be offered at a social day care program you should look into an adult day health program. These programs have registered nurses (RNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on site and can provide hands on assistance to participants. They can also bring other health care professionals, including podiatrists, eye doctors, dentists, physical, occupational and speech therapists onsite. Adult day health programs are best suited for the older adult who requires medication administration and/or assistance with any ADLs such as feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting or transfers. These programs are secure so they provide a safe environment for someone with dementia. They are not appropriate for someone who needs constant one on one attention or is combative.
Social day and adult day health programs are great programs for older adults and their caregivers. Social day care programs are less expensive than adult day health programs and have a lower staffing to participant ratio. It is important to make sure that the program, whether a social day program or adult day health program, is a good match for the older adult. Programs may have different populations that they focus on such as younger individuals with mental health or developmental disabilities. It is a good idea to visit the center and make sure it is a good match for the older adult. Many centers offer a free one day trial visit so the family and older adult can decide if a particular center will be a good match. Any center you and your uncle are interested in will conduct an assessment to be he is an appropriate fit for their site.
A very big thank you to Lisa Pontbriand, from St Francis Adult Day Health, for helping to answer this month’s question. For more information about the Adult Day health program at St Francis please visit www.saintfrancisrehab.com.
photo credit: Antonio_Trogu via photopin cc
A. Social day care and adult day health programs are extremely valuable and important programs. These programs allow older adults to continue to reside in a community setting while allowing the informal caregiver to have a break during the day. There are differences between the care provided at social day care and adult day health programs. The level of care the older adult needs will determine which program is the best for them.
Both programs are offered during the day Monday-Friday, with some now offering extended evening and/or weekend hours. Most programs prefer that a person attend at least 2 days per week so the participant and staff get to know each other. Both programs offer socialization activities as well as nutritious meals and snacks. Transportation may be provided to and from the center.
Social Day programs, which may also be called Adult Day Care, focus on the socialization of the older adult allowing them to maintain structure and focus in their day. This type of program is best suited for the older adult who is still independent and does not require hands on assistance with any of their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring, but require more supervision and structure than is provided at the local senior center. Social day care is not appropriate for those who need medication administration, wander or require constant redirection during the day. It is appropriate for the person who can take their own medications after a reminder is given or needs occasional redirection or cueing during the day.
If your uncle needs more care that what can be offered at a social day care program you should look into an adult day health program. These programs have registered nurses (RNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on site and can provide hands on assistance to participants. They can also bring other health care professionals, including podiatrists, eye doctors, dentists, physical, occupational and speech therapists onsite. Adult day health programs are best suited for the older adult who requires medication administration and/or assistance with any ADLs such as feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting or transfers. These programs are secure so they provide a safe environment for someone with dementia. They are not appropriate for someone who needs constant one on one attention or is combative.
Social day and adult day health programs are great programs for older adults and their caregivers. Social day care programs are less expensive than adult day health programs and have a lower staffing to participant ratio. It is important to make sure that the program, whether a social day program or adult day health program, is a good match for the older adult. Programs may have different populations that they focus on such as younger individuals with mental health or developmental disabilities. It is a good idea to visit the center and make sure it is a good match for the older adult. Many centers offer a free one day trial visit so the family and older adult can decide if a particular center will be a good match. Any center you and your uncle are interested in will conduct an assessment to be he is an appropriate fit for their site.
A very big thank you to Lisa Pontbriand, from St Francis Adult Day Health, for helping to answer this month’s question. For more information about the Adult Day health program at St Francis please visit www.saintfrancisrehab.com.
photo credit: Antonio_Trogu via photopin cc
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