Over 4 million people in the United States currently are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and it is predicted that over 14 million people will have this disease by the middle of the century unless a cure is found.
Adult Day Care Programs
Adult day care can be another form of respite care. People with dementia most often attend these programs during the day and return home in the evening.
Depending on the setting, adult day care programs can provide a range of services and structured activities in a group environment. These programs may be available at senior centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. A day care program may provide such activities as crafts, music, exercise and a communal meal, usually lunch. Some programs include physical, occupational and speech therapy. Adult day care programs usually are open only during daytime hours, from one to five days a week, but some also offer evening and/or weekend services.
Adult day care programs serve several important functions. Participants may engage in activities designed to maximize mental and physical strengths and abilities and promote independence. While providing caregivers with a break from their responsibilities, these programs also offer the opportunity to become acquainted and interact with other caregivers, relieving isolation and loneliness, especially of aging spouses. Some programs also offer support groups and educational opportunities for caregivers. Adult day care programs can enable working family members to maintain full-time jobs in addition to caring for an aging relative.