A Sense of Purpose
Throughout all of these activities, socialization is part of the goal. Some elders are given a plant to "take care of." Or a special pet – real, or a stuffed toy. In rural areas of my state, giving people who have farmed toy tractors to hold can bring on conversation. For a time, the elder feels himself back in control of a farm.
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Socialization
Socialization is one of the big draws of adult day care. By typing "socialization" and "Alzheimer's" into your Web browser, you will pull up many references to studies that show socialization can not only help ward off dementia, it may even help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's. Even if having a social life doesn't slow down the process, if the elder is enjoying some time with peers, it's worth the effort to get them to the center.
Time Off for the Caregiver
One of the big advantages adult day care can give to caregivers, of course, is time off for the caregiver to do what they want or need to do without worrying about the safety or mental health of their loved one. If the caregiver needs to go to work, but feels that Dad may decide to take a stroll and get lost, that's a worry. If this caregiver, on the way to work, drops Dad off at the day care center, she will know that Dad is being cared for while she is gone.
Even if it's not a job that is worrying the caregiver, someone has to get groceries and run other errands. Someone has to pick up medications. And, yes, most caregivers need time alone or to have coffee with a friend. The flexibility of most day care centers allows scheduling so the caregiver can do these things.
Routine
Generally, a day care will want some sort of rhythm set for the care, both for their scheduling and for the person with Alzheimer's. Routine is important for people with dementia. Once they have a routine, it's good to stick with it as closely as possible. But flexibility is important, too. One caregiver I know well told me, "Dad loves the care center, but if he's having a bad day he can be stubborn about going. If I see this, I call the center, and they are good about us not showing up."
This works for my friend for now. Her Dad's bad mood generally passes and the next scheduled day for care works out great.
Of course this may change. Alzheimer's is a moving target. But for a certain number of weeks, months or even years, an adult day care center could be the answer for a caregiver and a care receiver looking to improve social opportunities for both, to say nothing of flexible care options and safety issues.
A well-run day care is also a great place for caregivers to learn tools and behaviors that will help them with home care. Spending some time at the center and watching the professionals interact with the elders can be highly educational. Most of the time, questions are welcome.
Elder care author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack is an AgingCare.com contributing editor and moderator of the
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Read her full biography