Adult Day Centers Help Families Continue to Work, Take Care of Family Responsibilities

Adult day centers are designed to meet the needs of individual older adults and to support their strengths, abilities and independence.

They help families in continue to work, take care of family responsibilities, and truly improve the quality for individuals who are facing the difficult diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. "We conservatively estimate in Lucas County alone, there are over 9,000 individuals who have Alzheimer's disease," said Salli Bollin, the executive director of the Alzheimer's Association's, Northwest Ohio Chapter.

Adult day centers can provide services to individuals with these cognitive impairments as well as individuals with physical needs.

Adult day centers can help families care for individuals in their family. Research has shown that adult day centers will help families keep people in their homes and can be a great support to families.

Families use adult day centers for many reasons. One reason is to provide older adults with the opportunity for mental stimulation and socialization. Adult day centers offer many enjoyable activities for those who attend and can be tailored to an individual's interests. At the Alzheimer's Association, examples of these adult day center activities include regular physical exercise programs, music programming, discussion groups and creative expression through the creation of artwork.

Another reason families use an adult day center is to have a break from caregiving. While a loved one is at a center, families have time to rest, run errands or finish other tasks. As a result, from the break of caregiving responsibilities, caregivers often will feel refreshed and renewed. Many families who use adult day services also note that by using this service, they are able to continue to be in the workforce.

When selecting an adult day center, there are many factors to consider. This can include help with day to day needs and transportation.

To choose the best option for the individual, consider the following: Cost - Many centers offer services on sliding scales, where caregivers pay according to ability or income.

Give the day center a chance by using its services at least twice a week for a month before making a final decision. Give the person time to adjust to the experience of going to the center. While some people may resist going to the center at first, they often look forward to the visit after several weeks of attending, meeting people and joining in activities.

For people who have a memory loss disorder such as Alzheimer's disease, consider a day center that is secure, offers specialized training to their staff, and can provide additional services as the disease progresses such as counseling for clients and families.

Consult a variety of sources to find an appropriate adult day center. Many caregivers rely on the advice from the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio or the Alzheimer's Association and from other caregivers.

The Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter presently operates two adult day centers in the greater Toledo area. These Centers are open Monday – Friday, operate on a sliding fee scale, and are subsidized by the Lucas County Senior Services Levy. For more information about the adult day centers, please call the Area Office on Aging at (800) 472-7277, visit www.areaofficeonaging.com or call the Alzheimer's Association at (419) 537-1999.