Selecting The Right Program

Adult day centers provide a planned program that includes a variety of health, social and support services in a protective setting during daytime hours. North Carolina centers are required by law to be certified by the North Carolina Division of Aging. The community-based service should be designed to meet the individual needs of functionally impaired adults such as those with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory impairments, strokes, mentally handicapped and many other disabilities. Persons attending the center may enjoy therapeutic group and individual activities such as exercise, discussion groups, gardening and intergenerational programs. Use the following guide to help you make the best choice for selecting care for your loved one.

 

  1. Decide what you want. Decide what you and your loved one want and need from attending the adult day program.

      For Your Loved One:

A safe, secure environment?
Social Activities?
Assistance with eating, walking, toileting, medicines?
Therapies-physical, speech, occupational?
Health monitoring-blood pressures, food, or liquid intake, weight?
Nutritious meals and snacks?
Special diet?
Exercise?
Mental stimulation?
Personal care-bathing, shampoos, shaving?

     For yourself:

Occasional free time?
Coverage while working?
Transportation?
Support?
Assistance in planning for care?

 

  1. Locate adult day programs in your area by consulting:

North Carolina Division of Aging at (919)733-8399 or check their website.

Yellow Pages ("adult day care", "aging services").

Area Agency on Aging (AAA).  Call 1-800-677-1116 for the AAA in your area.

Your family doctor or nurse.

The local aging service provider such as the Council on Aging.

 
  1. Visit the program(s).  Plan to make an appointment to discuss eligibility criteria and to visit unannounced.  Request information about the following:
Owner or sponsoring agency.
Years of operation.
Certification.
Hours of operation.
Days open.
Attendance policies, e.g. minimum attendance requirements, notification policy for absences.
Transportation.
Costs: basic daily, hourly, or monthly fees, financial assistance, additional charges for transportation, field trips, showers, extended hours, etc.
Impairments and conditions which are accepted and restricted, e.g. memory loss, limited mobility, incontinence, wandering.
Staff credentials and experience working with impairments and diagnoses like that of your loved one.
Number of staff for each client (minimum acceptable is 8 to 1 in N.C., may be higher according to the center's certification and the impairments of clients being served, e.g. 6:1).
Use of volunteers and their training.
Activities provided-opportunities for group and individual choices?
Initial and ongoing assessments performed on clients.
Emergency medical procedures.
Frequency of fire and other emergency drills.
Menu-appeal, nutritious, balance, meal schedule.

 
  1. Evaluate your options.
Did you feel welcomed?
Did someone spend time finding out what you want and need?
Did someone clearly explain what services and activities the center provides?
Will you be involved in writing and updating an individualized care plan for your loved one?
Did they present information about staffing , program procedures, costs, and what they expect of caregivers?
Was the facility clean, pleasant, and free of odor?
Were the building and rooms wheelchair accessible?
Were the bathrooms clean, well-stocked, and handicap accessible?
Were fire evacuation routes clear of furniture and easily accessible?
Was there sturdy, comfortable furniture?  Sofas, loungers, or beds for relaxing?  Chairs with arms?
Is there a quiet place for conferences?
Is there a place to isolate sick persons?
Are participants involved in planning activities or making other suggestions?
Were most participants engaged in some type of activity?

If there is more than one program in your area, compare the benefits of each of them for you and your loved      one.  Other factors to compare among those already mentioned, include accessibility, affordability, location and transportation, facility and atmosphere, and staff.

 
  1. Try it out!   Select a program and give it a chance, allowing about a month for your loved one to adjust before making a final decision.  Occasional use will not give you an accurate picture of how the center operates.  Although your loved one may not be able to recall all the activities enjoyed during the day, the staff will gladly provide the missing details.  Do not hesitate to ask staff questions about your loved one's interaction, progress, etc.

 
  1. Take care of yourself!
Do something that you especially enjoy the you have not been able to do for a while.
Request resources and tips to make caregiving easier.
Consider participating in a support group for persons such as yourself who are caring for a loved one.
Ask about additional resources available in the community.
Periodically re-evaluate your loved one's changing needs and how the center is meeting them.

 

 

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