Questions To Ask Before Choosing An Adult Day Care Center
An adult day care center can empower you to allow elderly parents to stay with you and out of a retirement home. It provides care for the elderly for a few to several hours per day while you work or enjoy some personal time. It can be the perfect solution to common problems adult children face when trying to lovingly care for their elderly parents. As you proceed on your quest to find the perfect center to fulfill the needs of your family and the elderly person who will attend adult day care, ask a manager these questions to ensure you're picking just the right one.
What are your requirements for seniors who attend your program?
Adult day care centers vary in the basic minimum requirements that candidates must meet in order to attend the daycare program. In most cases, the following are general criteria.
- Candidates should be able to listen to staff members and communicate their needs.
- Attendees may be confined to a wheelchair or have to use a cane or walker. However, they cannot be entirely confined to a bed or otherwise totally immobile.
- Candidates should not have chronic instances of incontinence. (Although the policy on this may be different depending on staff members and center rules.)
- Attendees should not have advanced dementia or late stage Alzheimer's disease.
- Candidates should generally not require specific care 24 hours per day.
Each day care center will be able to explain its exact criteria and address any issues you foresee.
Who is the owner of this adult day care center?
The owner of the facility may sometimes be a company, non-profit organizations, or church. This answer can help you weed some facilities out if you are not looking for a place that has a religious affiliation or other type of sponsor.
What are the dates and hours when your adult day care is available?
Many centers have set hours of operation that remain the same throughout the year, with the exception of holidays. If you need to place a parent in care at certain hours of the day, this can be the most important question.
What is your policy if the center is closing and an attendee hasn't been picked up?
While you certainly don't want to anticipate being late to pick up a parent, the unexpected happens. You will have greater peace of mind if you know what the procedure is to handle these issues.
Can I stop by anytime?
It's a big red flag if an adult day care center doesn't welcome adult children in to see their parents if they want to stop by and spend time with them. In fact, many centers will allow you to visit during any day before deciding if the care center is right for your parent.
What is your staff-to-participant ratio?
It's a good idea to get a feel for how many staff members will be on hand. If a staff member is overwhelmed with too many attendees, they won't be as easily able to give a lot of personalized care to your parent. However, if there are plenty of staff members, that can lead to a more fulfilling experience for all participants.
Finally, keep in mind that it's a good idea to make your own list of questions before calling or visiting an adult day care center. That way, you are sure to include the essentials on the list as well as ones that pertain to your unique situation and the needs of your parent. The answers you receive should empower you to decide whether it's the right center for your parent. Contact a business, such as Chapin Home For The Aging, for more information.