Adult Day Care: New Advantages for Today's Seniors and their Caregivers

As a growing population increasingly chooses to "age in place," adult day care is helping to enrich the lives of seniors and alleviate some of the responsibilities of the families so often charged with their care. Adult day care, a service that can include medical and nonmedical health care, therapeutic and social services and other elder home care assistance, can make the choice to postpone nursing home care for seniors easier, and can have an impact on their mental and physical well-being at the same time.

Impact on Physical Health

With the help of adult day care, seniors are given the opportunity to experience regular mental, emotional and social stimulation, which can increase feelings of independence and productivity, and help them enjoy a positive state of mind. And, studies show that seniors who remain actively engaged are more likely to retain their physical health. That can translate into fewer viruses, infections and other ailments - a priceless payoff for engaging the assistance of adult day care providers.

From Meals to Massage

Although adult day care can include medical care for specific illnesses, nonmedical homecare represents one of the fastest growing provider businesses in eldercare. Among the services most often requested are meal preparation, personal care, transportation and household chores. Some adult day care providers offer arts and crafts activities, recreational outings, and the opportunity to attend musical events. The growing industry has also given rise to more personalized services, such as gourmet meal preparation or massage.

Connecting with Adult Day Care Providers

As the adult day care landscape presents new and diverse options, seniors and their families find it increasingly difficult to sort out and connect with providers that are right for them. As part of the ElderCarelink screening process, providers of eldercare products and services meet participation standards to become part of the ElderCarelink network. ElderCarelink also connects consumers to eldercare providers based on individual needs, geographic location and finances. Created specifically to bring consumers together with services such as adult day care, ElderCarelink helps seniors and their families take full advantage of the valuable mental and physical health benefits that can accompany care within the home.

ElderCarelink is the nation's #1 resource for families in search of qualified, local eldercare providers. ElderCarelink can help you find adult day care providers in your local area.

Free Needs Assessment for Seniors and their Caregivers