Being a full-time caregiver can be emotionally and physically draining. It's important to have a support system in place to help you through the tough times. One option that is often overlooked is adult day care. Adult day care can provide much-needed respite for caregivers while also offering a variety of activities and social interaction for the care recipient. In this article, we’ll talk about adult day care in detail. We’ll go through the benefits, services, costs, and how to find one near you.
What is Adult Day Care?
Adult day care is a service that provides supervision and care for adults in a setting that is typically daytime and community-based. Adult day care centers offer a variety of activities and services, including social and recreational activities, meals, and health-related services. They can provide a much-needed respite for caregivers, as well as a place for adults to socialize and receive needed care and services. Adult day care centers are an important resource for many families, and can play a vital role in helping adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities to remain active and engaged in their communities.
What are the Benefits of Adult Day Care?
For both you as a caregiver and the loved one in your care, there are many benefits to adult day care worth considering.
Respite: As we touched on, adult day care can provide a much-needed respite for caregivers. It can give you a few hours a day or week to breathe.
Social interaction: Adult day care facilities offer stimulating physical activities and social interaction for the adults in their care such as arts and crafts, games, and chair exercises.
Opportunity to handle other tasks: Adult day care also offers you the opportunity to run errands or take care of other personal business without having to worry about your loved one.
Peace of mind: It can be hard to leave your loved one when they’re dependent on you for basic needs and quality of life. Knowing that your loved one is being cared for in a safe and supportive environment can give you much-needed peace of mind.
What Services do Adult Day Care Centers Offer?
There are many available services provided by adult day care centers. The specific center closest to you can advise on which of these services (and potentially others) they offer. Basic services may include things like:
Support and counseling
Education and training
Evening care
Exercise
Health screenings
Meals and assistance
Medical care tasks
Physical therapy assistance
Recreation activities
Respite care
Socialization and camaraderie
Supervision
Transportation (some offer transportation to and from the center as well)
Medication management
And more.
(Source: ElderCare)
How Much Does it Cost?
Adult day care is the most affordable option for care according to the Cost of Care Report by Genworth when compared to the cost of home care and assisted living. In California, here’s what you can expect to pay for adult day care:
Average cost in California for Adult Day Care is between $68 to $77 per day as of 2020.
Costs in expensive regions of California (such as Orange County, Chico, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Rosa) range from $107 to $153 per day as of 2020.
Costs in less expensive regions of California (such as Hanford, Salinas, and Visalia) range from $40 to $60 per day as of 2020.
(Source: Paying for Senior Care)
How Do I Find a Facility Near Me?
If you’re looking for an adult day care facility near you, we have a few suggested tools you can use:
Contact your Orange County Office on Aging (information and assistance provider).
Contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
Use the Eldercare Locator.
Connect with the National Adult Day Services Association.
Sign up for CareNav™ (create a free account for personalized information, assistance, and recommendations).
Contact your local Orange County California Caregiver Resource Center.
Closing Thoughts
As a caregiver, scheduling regular breaks for yourself is essential to maintaining your health and well-being. Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. Adult day care may be just the solution you're looking for.
For further reading and resources, we invite you to check out our library of information for family caregivers by clicking here. You are also welcome to call us at 800-543-8312 to find out more about how we can support you on your caregiving journey.
If you are a caregiver in Orange County, please reach out to us. We would be happy to provide you with information on our Center and the many services we offer.
Additional Reading: How to Get Paid to Be a Caregiver
If you are a caregiver, we recommend you check out our article about getting paid to be a family caregiver. Becoming a caregiver is expensive–out-of-pocket costs average in the thousands each year for a family caregiver. The state of California offers several paths to receiving at least subsidized assistance, so click here to learn more about how to get paid to be a caregiver.