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What is adult day care?
Adult day health care centers care for older adults with a variety of health needs who cannot be alone during the day because of memory loss, social isolation, illness, or disability. With the support of adult day health services, these older adults who require support are able to continue living in their homes or with their families.
Staffed by skilled professionals, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, activity directors, and program aides, adult day health centers provide daily assistance to older adults who would otherwise require full-time in-home or residential care. Staff members are specially trained in senior health issues, and work closely with the families in the care of the member who attends.
In addition, adult day care centers provide nutritious meals and snacks, as well as engaging activities planned by a licensed activity director. Activities can include gardening, games, music, and exercise. The goal of adult day care is to provide care during the day so older adults can live in the community longer.
Adult day care is a form of long-term care, and many adult day care centers accept payment from Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or Veteran’s Administration benefits, in addition to private payments from clients. Adult day centers generally operate during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Research shows that the supportive services of adult day care may help prevent decline of health as well as premature entry into assisted living and nursing homes. The benefits to the attendee and the benefits to the caregiver are numerous.
Research shows that for participants, adult day care may:
- Stabilize medical conditions and reduce hospitalizations
- Prevent secondary disabilities that result from excessive bed rest or inactivity
- Lead to improved ability to perform daily activities
- Increase self-esteem and dignity
- Improve, stabilize or retard the deterioration of cognitive functioning
- Increase verbal ability and mobility
- Elevate mood and improve behaviors
- Improve nutrition
- Lessen the impact of acute medical changes through monitoring and rapid intervention
- Provide opportunities for friendship and decrease the harmful effects of isolation and loneliness
- Be something to look forward to
- Foster a sense of belonging
- Create a feeling of belonging to a community
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No person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or income status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination or retaliation under any federally or non-federally funded program or activity administered by AGE of Central Texas.