Caring for a family member with early to middle-stage dementia is a journey filled with challenges and moments of connection. Adult daycare can offer a supportive environment for your loved one, providing engaging activities and social interaction while offering caregivers some much-needed respite. Here’s how you can make the most of adult daycare for your family member with dementia.
What is Adult Daycare and How Can It Benefit People with Dementia?
Adult daycare is a service that provides care and supervision for older adults who need assistance or companionship during the day. Adult daycare centers typically offer various services, such as meals, snacks, medication management, personal care, transportation, and health monitoring. They also offer a range of activities designed to meet the needs and interests of people with dementia, such as music, art, games, gardening, exercise, and memory stimulation. These activities can help people with dementia to socialize with others, engage in meaningful and enjoyable tasks, and improve their cognitive and emotional well-being. Several studies have shown that adult day care can have positive effects on dementia symptoms and quality of life, such as reducing agitation, depression, and loneliness and enhancing self-esteem, mood, and function. Adult daycare can also benefit caregivers by providing respite, support, and education.
How to Choose the Right Adult Daycare Center for Your Loved One?
Finding and choosing the right adult day care center for your loved one with dementia can be a challenging and overwhelming task. You want to ensure the center can provide the best care and support for your loved one’s needs and preferences. Here are some tips on how to find and evaluate adult daycare centers that specialize in dementia care:
Do some research: You can start by asking your loved one’s doctor, social worker, or other health professionals for recommendations. You can also search online for local adult day care centers with dementia programs or certifications. You can visit websites like Eldercare Locator or Alzheimer’s Association for resources and information about adult day care.
Consider some factors: Once you have a list of potential centers, you need to compare and contrast them based on some important factors, such as:
Location: You want to choose a center that is convenient and accessible for you and your loved one. You also want to consider the safety and comfort of the neighborhood and the facility.
Cost: You want to know how much the center charges and what services are included in the fee. You also want to know if the center accepts insurance, Medicaid, or other financial assistance programs.
Hours: You want to know the center’s operating hours and whether they match your schedule and needs. You also want to know if the center offers any flexibility or emergency services in case of unexpected situations.
Staff qualifications: You want to know the staff’s qualifications, training, and experience caring for your loved one. You also want to know the staff-to-client ratio and how they handle communication and feedback with caregivers.
Security measures: You want to know the security measures the center has in place to ensure your loved one’s safety and well-being and how they handle emergencies, accidents, or medical issues.
Activities offered: You want to know the types and variety of activities that the center offers for people with dementia and how they tailor the activities to your loved one’s individual needs, abilities, and interests.
Ask some questions: The best way to evaluate a center is to visit it in person or contact it by phone or email. You want to ask some questions that can help you assess the quality and suitability of the center, such as:
What are the admission criteria and procedures for your center?
How do you assess and monitor the needs and progress of your clients?
How do you handle challenging behaviors or special needs of people with dementia?
How do you ensure the safety of participants during transportation?
What steps do you take to prevent wandering or confusion during the journey?
How do you involve and support the caregivers and families of your clients?
How are meals and snacks provided? Can you accommodate specific dietary needs?
How do you manage medication administration and ensure participants take their prescribed medications?
What training do your staff members receive to work with individuals with dementia?
How do you handle challenging behaviors or changes in participants’ moods?
How do you evaluate and improve the quality of your services and programs?
Can you provide any references or testimonials from other caregivers or clients?
Choosing the right adult day care center for your loved one with dementia can make a big difference in their quality of life and yours. By following these tips, you can find a center that can provide the best care and support for your loved one.
How to Prepare Your Loved One and Yourself for Adult Daycare?
Starting adult daycare can be a difficult and emotional decision for both you and your loved one with dementia. You may face some common challenges and concerns, such as resistance from your loved one who may not want to leave home or change their routine, guilt from feeling like you are abandoning them or not doing enough, or anxiety from worrying about how they will adjust or cope in a new environment. These feelings are normal and understandable, but they should not stop you from seeking the help and support you and your loved one need. Some strategies can help you overcome these challenges and make the transition easier, such as:
Involving your loved one in the decision: Explain to them the benefits of adult daycare and how it can help them stay active, engaged, and healthy. Ask for their input and preferences, and respect their feelings and opinions. Try to make the decision together rather than imposing it on them.
Visiting the center together: Before starting adult day care, visit the center with your loved one and introduce them to the staff and other clients. Let them see the facility, the activities, and the atmosphere. Please encourage them to ask questions and express their thoughts. This can help them become familiar and comfortable with the center and reduce their fear of the unknown.
Establishing a routine: Once you start adult daycare, establish a consistent and predictable routine for your loved one. Have a regular schedule for waking up, getting ready, going to and from the center, and doing other activities at home. This can help them feel more secure and confident and reduce their confusion and stress.
Another essential thing to remember is to care for yourself as a caregiver. Adult daycare can provide you with some time off from your caregiving duties, and you should use this time to rest, run errands, or pursue your interests. This can help you recharge your energy, reduce burnout, and improve your mood. You can also seek support from other caregivers, friends, family, or professionals who can understand your situation and offer advice, comfort, or assistance. You can also take better care of your loved one by taking care of yourself.
Transportation: Ensuring Safe Travels
One of the aspects of adult day care that you need to consider is how to transport your loved one to and from the center. This can be a challenging and stressful task, especially if your loved one has mobility issues, behavioral problems, or cognitive impairments. You want to ensure that your loved one is safe and comfortable during the travel and that you are prepared for any possible difficulties or emergencies. Here are some tips on how to ensure safe travels for your loved one:
Use seat belts or appropriate restraints: Always buckle up your loved one and yourself when driving. Use seat belts or other devices that can secure your loved one in place and prevent them from moving around or getting out of the car. This can reduce the risk of injury or accident in sudden stops or turns. If your loved one resists or complains about the seat belt, try to distract them with music, conversation, or a favorite toy or snack.
Consider using a specialized transportation service: If you are unable or unwilling to drive your loved one to and from the center, you can look for a transportation service that caters to individuals with dementia. These services may have specially trained drivers, vehicles, and equipment that can accommodate the needs and challenges of people with dementia. They may also offer door-to-door service, assistance with transfers, and communication with the center and the caregiver. You can ask the center or your local aging agency for recommendations or referrals for such services.
Avoid distractions and focus on driving safely: When driving your loved one to and from the center, avoid any distractions that may affect your concentration or judgment. Do not use your phone, text, or check your messages while driving. Do not argue or debate with your loved one or other passengers. Do not drive when you are tired, angry, or impaired. If your loved one becomes agitated, restless, or disruptive during the travel, try to calm them down with soothing words, music, or touch. If the situation becomes unsafe or unbearable, pull over to a safe spot and take a break until you are ready to resume the travel.
Transporting your loved one to and from the adult day care center can be challenging and stressful, but it can also be rewarding and enjoyable. By following these tips, you can ensure safe travels for your loved one and yourself and make the most of the time you spend together.
Information to Provide Before the First Day
Before your loved one attends adult daycare, you must provide important information to the center staff. This information can help them understand your loved one’s needs and preferences and provide them with the best care and support possible. Here are some of the information you need to provide before the first day:
Medical history and current medications: You need to share your loved one’s medical history, including any diagnoses, conditions, or complications they have. You must also provide a list of their current medications, including their names, dosages, and instructions on how and when to take them. This can help the staff monitor your loved one’s health and manage potential side effects or interactions.
Emergency contact information: You need to provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of yourself and other family members who can be contacted in an emergency. You must also provide the name and contact information of your loved one’s primary care physician and any other health professionals they see regularly. This can help the staff reach you or other responsible parties quickly and efficiently in an urgent situation.
Dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences: You need to inform the staff of any dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences your loved one has. This can include any foods or ingredients they cannot or will not eat any special diets they follow, or any foods they particularly like or dislike. This can help the staff plan and prepare meals and snacks that are suitable and enjoyable for your loved one.
Special needs or considerations: You must communicate any special needs or considerations your loved one may have. This can include any physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges, personal care or assistance they require, communication or sensory issues, or cultural or religious preferences. This can help the staff accommodate and respect your loved one’s individuality and dignity.
By providing this information before the first day, you can help the staff get to know your loved one better and provide the best care and support possible. You can also update or change this information if your loved one’s situation or needs change.
Effective Communication: Regular Engagement with the Center
One of the ways to make the most of adult day care for your loved one with dementia is to maintain ongoing communication with the center staff. The staff are your partners in caring for your loved one, and they can provide you with valuable information and support. By communicating regularly with the staff, you can ensure your loved one’s well-being and enjoyment at the center. Here are some tips on how to communicate effectively with the staff:
Daily updates: Ask the staff about your loved one’s activities, mood, and any notable changes they observed during the day every day. This can help you keep track of your loved one’s progress, challenges, and needs. It can also help you prepare to transition from the center to home and plan for the evening or the next day.
Share feedback: Provide feedback to the staff on your loved one’s experiences at the center. Tell them what your loved one likes or dislikes, what they are good at or struggle with, and what they are interested in or curious about. This can help the staff tailor the activities and services to your loved one’s preferences and abilities. It can also help them enhance your loved one’s engagement and satisfaction at the center.
Discuss concerns: If you notice any changes in your loved one’s behavior or health, such as increased agitation, confusion, or fatigue, discuss them with the staff as soon as possible. This can help the staff identify and address potential issues or problems affecting your loved one’s well-being or safety. It can also help them ensure timely interventions and referrals to other professionals if needed.
Communicating regularly with the center staff can help you build a trusting and collaborative relationship. This can benefit you and your loved one and help you make the most of adult daycare.
Conclusion
Adult daycare can be a valuable resource for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia. It can provide care, support, and stimulation for people with dementia, respite, relief, and education for caregivers. However, making the most of adult daycare requires careful planning, preparation, and communication. Following the tips and strategies discussed in this article, you can find the right center, prepare your loved one and yourself, and communicate effectively with the staff. This can help you and your loved one enjoy the benefits of adult daycare and improve your quality of life.
