Senior Daycare and Day Respite Services

The recent proliferation of daycare facilties for seniors reflects the increasing awareness of the need for caregivers to take care of themselves as well. Today there are more than 3,000 senior and adult day care centers in the United States, and the number grows as demand steadily increases. As the number of providers grows, the services available to seniors also increases. Services that are becoming commonly available are;

• Medical care for certain illnesses
• Mental, emotional and social stimulation
• Arts and crafts activities
• Recreational outings
• Live music and dancing

Non-medical senior day care is also available at home. This kind of adult day care can include;

• Meal preparation
• Personal care
• Transportation
• Household chores

Additional services like gourmet meal preparation or therapeutic massage are often offered for an additional fee.

Senior day care facilities provide benefits to both elders and caregivers. Elders who remain actively engaged are more likely to stay healthy. Caregivers who are able to go "off duty" regularly provide better care.

The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) has developed a thorough, practical and focused eight-step approach to help you find the right senior day services providers. Here's a summary of the steps:

• Make a list of the supports and services you and your elder require--including social, medical, nutritional and personal care needs
• Identify the adult daycare centers in your area
• Contact to request brochures and general information
• Review the information you receive, using NADSA's checklist
• Visit centers that might meet your needs
• Talk to people who have used the centers
• Start by trying out the service together for a few hours
• Remember that giving yourself a break allows you to provide better care in the long run

ElderCarelink can help you find senior day care providers in your local area.

Click here to find Seniors Day Care