Choosing the Right Adult Day Center

Senior Independence, the wholly owned home and community based services subsidiary of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS), would like to share information from the National Council on Aging, a part of the Administration on Aging, about services for seniors.

Adult day services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care. These structured, comprehensive programs provide a variety of health, social, and other related support services in a protective setting during any part of a day, but less than 24-hour care. Adult day centers generally operate programs during normal business hours five days a week. Some programs offer services in the evenings and on weekends.   Adult day centers are designed to serve adults who are physically impaired or mentally confused and may require supervision, increased social opportunities, assistance with personal care or other daily living activities. It is estimated that more than 3,400 adult day centers are currently operating in the United States. About seventy-eight percent are operated on a nonprofit or public basis, and are affiliated with larger organizations such as home care, skilled nursing facilities, medical centers or multi-purpose organizations.

The “average” adult day center offers a wide range of services, which typically include:

  • Transportation
  • Social Services
  • Meals
  • Nursing Care
  • Personal Care
  • Counseling
  • Therapeutic Activities
  • Rehabilitation Therapies

The right adult day center can serve as an excellent resource for the caregiver. The following steps may help in locating an appropriate facility for the particular needs of your loved one.

  • Locate the names and phone numbers of adult day centers in your area through the yellow pages, a senior center in your area, your primary care physician or your local Area Agency on Aging.
  • Call each adult day center you are interested in and ask them to send you any information they have available.
  • Obtain the names of two or three families that use the center and ask their opinions on the centers.
  • Visit each adult day center you are interested in and be sure you have a list of questions and a check list of services you are interested in receiving. Consider the following questions:
    • Is it clean and homelike?
    • Is the atmosphere warm and inviting?
    • Is there sturdy, comfortable furniture available?
    • Is there a comfortable room for participants who may be sick?
    • Do Participants seem comfortable in their surroundings?
    • Did the staff present information about staffing, program procedures, costs, and the expectations of caregivers?
    • Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the waiting list?
    • Does the staff have specific qualifications for their jobs?
    • Is there a plan of care for each person?
    • Do the programs and activities match individual needs?
    • Are participants involved in planning activities and/or making other suggestions?
    • Is there a daily recreational and activities plan?
    • What are the costs?
    • Is there access to medical staff if needed (i.e., nursing)?
    • Are there meals for special diets?
    • Is there adequate space, furniture, and equipment both indoors and outdoors?

Choose the adult day center you feel most comfortable with and try it out for a few days; then make a final determination on the center after you have tried the site.