The Senior Moment - As Seen in The Millstadt Messenger

Be sure to read the July 2009 issue of The Millstadt Messenger in which you will find the new column by our Millstadt Community Manager Tori Salladay. This month she wrote about the benefits of Adult Day Club. Here is the July column:

The Senior Moment
as seen in The Millstadt Messenger
by Tori Salladay
Garden Place Senior Living of Millstadt

The aging process is certainly not for sissies. Along with the health concerns and physical limitations that come with age, many seniors suffer from boredom or loneliness. One solution to such problems is to enroll older adults in an Adult Day Club.

The emerging phenomenon of adult-day services is an innovative approach to alleviating some of the mental and social strains that age brings. Since the mid-1970s, adult day centers are increasingly accessible with more than 3,400 nationwide.

Adult day services specialize in providing structured, social programs allowing elderly individuals and their caregivers the opportunity to enjoy a safe and nurturing environment during the day while returning to a loving home at night. Typically, adult day clubs are non-residential programs providing care and services for the elderly and disabled. More than 50 percent of all adult day center recipients nationwide have some cognitive impairment.

Most centers operate between four and 12 hours per day and often provide meals, transportation, social and recreational activities, outings and general supervision. On average, participants are 72 years old, with two-thirds being women.

In general, adult day centers operate under a social activities model, which focuses on increased interaction with peers through planned activities appropriate to participants’ health needs. However, some adult day services follow a medical model that includes nursing intervention and care-and-carry, an additional medical license.

Adult day services benefit participants and their caregivers by delaying admission into a skilled nursing facility and allowing participants to remain at home longer. For individuals who would otherwise stay at home alone during the day, the structure of social stimulation and recreational activities often improve, maintain or delay the decline of physical or cognitive functioning. For caregivers, adult day centers provide respite care enabling caregivers’ time to work or take a break from their care-giving responsibilities.

In general, 35 percent of the adult-day recipients live with an adult child, 20 percent with a spouse, 18 percent in an institutional setting, 13 percent with parents or other relatives and 11 percent live alone.

The average cost per day ranges from $55 to $75 per day. For financial assistance, check with your individual health insurance provider. Medicare does not cover adult day center costs, though if a senior qualifies financially, Medicaid will cover some or all costs for a licensed, medical-model program or an Alzheimer’s environment.

Some adult day programs offer need-based scholarships while others use sliding-fee scales based on income. Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of costs if the program includes registered, licensed medical personnel. Depending upon the policy, some long-term-care insurance might assist with payment. Also, dependent-care tax credits may be available for caregivers.

When looking for an adult day facility, seek a community that promotes independence and social stimulation, supports and supervises mature adults with dignity, encourages improved self-esteem and offers structured routines engaging in day-to-day events and activities designed specifically for seniors. E-mail Tori with questions about adult day care programs or with feedback.