For those who do not have aging parents, or who are not in caregiver roles, the question, “When is it time for Adult Day Care?” might be an odd one. Unfortunately, this is a question which thousands of adult children face daily when trying to manage their parents ‘declining’ senior years.
Adult day care is a supervised program, typically for seniors or disabled adults, offering social, health, and therapeutic services in a non-hospital or institutional setting.
With more than 7,500 centers across the United States, the programs allow participants to receive care as needed, engage in daily group activities, and return home each evening.
Fundamentally, the initiative provides support for both the individual needing daily oversight or care, and their caregivers needing respite from their caregiving roles.
So, at what point would adult day care become beneficial for a loved one? The quick answer is, when a loved one requires ongoing supervision, needs assistance with daily activities that a caregiver is unable to provide consistently, or safely, and/or struggling to balance their own needs with the demands of caregiving.
Similarly, and as referenced by the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA), caregivers should begin looking for resources when they start seeing signs that a loved one:
Is unable to structure daily activities;
Wishes for interaction with older individuals due to feeling isolated and lonely;
Experiences anxiety or depression and needs social and emotional support;
Difficulty focusing on any given activity, whether it be a simple conversation, reading or watching TV.
More severe concerns include struggling to bathe, dress, eat, or use the restroom, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty with decision-making, unsteadiness or impaired mobility which increases the risk of accidents. All are preliminary stages of dementia and cognitive decline.
The Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) has provided adult day care services for more than 40 years, hosting an estimated 170,000 participants since 1983. Our program has remained a cornerstone of support for local families caring for seniors and adults with special needs.
Our Center, officially titled the Weinberg Adult Day Health Center, and made possible by a generous grant from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, has expanded over the decades to include updated activity spaces, an outdoor therapeutic garden, and enhanced safety features to support our memory care clients.
“Our doors are open weekdays for those who require a secure, social, protective environment,” said Nicole Santiago, RN, BSN, Adult Daycare Program administrator. “Besides a social environment, our Center provides comprehensive oversight, personal care assistance, medication management, therapy if needed, and nutritious meals developed under the guidance of our in-house dietician.”
A typical day begins with coffee and a light breakfast from 7-8 a.m., often accompanied by news-of-the-day discussions and trivia games. Mid-morning includes light exercise, arts and crafts, or gardening, followed by a nutritious lunch. After a short rest or siesta, the afternoon includes games, music, and snacks, all designed to keep participants engaged, stimulated, and connected.
Our clinical staff are also trained in dementia specific caregiving, with licensed medical professionals who can administer medication, along with insulin and even breathing treatments as prescribed.
We understand caring for an aging parent or loved one is a journey filled with emotional decisions, and one of the most di. cult can be knowing when it is time to seek additional support.
Clinically speaking, early participation has also been linked to maintaining better physical and mental health, partially improving cognitive function, and reducing caregiver stress and burden over time.
“Further, introducing these services in the initial stages supports routine and familiarity, which help reduce anxiety and agitation if cognitive changes begin to emerge,” Santiago said.
If you believe a loved one would benefit from a fun, protected, and structured environment with other seniors from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, call the OCOA office at 407-483-1494.
For the first time in years, our Center does not have a waiting list, so a perfect time to become part of the Council’s Adult Day Care Center family. To read more about this program, go to https://osceolagenerations.org/adult-day-health-care/.
