Predicaments and Ponderings Blog

It’s hard enough when a family realizes their parent needs assistance but to see memory issues coming into play makes the realization more difficult.

Several things come into play with the parent. Perhaps they are healthy and able to manage dressing and personal care. The biggest problem is memory issues. How does a family justify assisted living for their parent when they are able to manage daily life skills yet, their memory prevents them from going places alone, prompts fear, or even wondering? It is as though your loved one is caught in limbo and there is no clear answer.

One avenue of assistance is adult day care or a person-centered approach program. Many families have no idea such services exist. Some are even covered by long-term health insurance and sometimes Medigap policies.

What is Adult Day Care? It’s simple. ADC is usually found within assisted living services, area senior services, or Area on Aging. Daily programs are provided at particular locations that offer full-time observation and guidance of your loved one. Programs generally include meals, activities, short excursions, and socialization that allows aging adults to enjoy the company of others without being restricted to a facility for 24-hour care. Hours for ADC are generally 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. Some ADC centers provide transportation and extended evening hours on certain days of the week. Seniors are fully supervised, well cared for, and overall very happy.

Costs of ADC can vary with the facility, the services chosen, and/or the group who provides the care. Some pricing may be subject to specific need. For example, perhaps your senior needs more one-on-one supervision because they wander. Those seniors may be guided to smaller groups that do the same activities but are managed with additional personnel. Costs vary between $25-$175 per day. Again, the services you chose will decide the cost.

As mentioned earlier, insurance may cover some of the expense but it’s important to know that you should never assume it is covered. Do your homework. Your loved one’s insurance may or may not cover this cost. Policies can require specific names for the service such as “person-centered program.” It pays to research the policy to find the terminology that may apply to your loved one’s particular policy. Policies have been know to provide a flat rate per or a small percentage hourly. At best, this is a service that is 2/3 the cost of full-time facility living and can fit the individually perfectly.

Adult Day Care can be the right answer for the in-between phase your loved falls into. Seniors can continue life with a certain amount of independence while the pressure for their care eases off the family. It’s important to know, due diligence is always vital. Check licensing, state certificates, and hiring processes before you entrust the care of your senior to anyone. ADC may be just what the family needs.      

*Photo courtesy of www.pixabay.com &MabelAmber