50+ Lifestyles

Adult Day: Not Just a Day Care for Grown-Ups

By Sharon Patten
Program Director
Intouch Adult Day & Home Care Services

It’s hard to know exactly when Adult Day is right for you and your loved one. Here are some things to know when considering if this is a good fit for your family.
Definition: Adult Day Care Centers like Intouch are designed to provide care and companionship for adults needing assistance or supervision during the day. At Intouch, our services are designed with one goal in mind: keep your loved one home with you as long as possible.

Why Adult Day?

• Safe. You can’t stay with your loved one 24/7. Adult Day is a safe option during daytime hours while you work, run errands, or take some time for yourself.
• Cost Effective. Sometimes, a few days/week of respite will make the difference between home placement and institutionalization. Over time, investing a little in an Adult Day program is significantly less expensive than an assisted living or nursing home.
• Maintain Health. At Intouch, our staff can help with medication reminders/management, rehabilitation exercise to maintain mobility, socialization, and overall mental happiness.
• Transition Assistance. Sadly, some individuals will live out their days in an institution. Adult Day attendance significantly aides in this eventual transition to possible long-term placement.
• Joy. It is a brave decision to keep your loved one home instead of placement – and Adult Day centers like Intouch are there to help you create moments of joy rather than moments of stress. Regular activities and structure create a sense of purpose and decreases negative behaviors. This makes life at home much more enjoyable for everyone.

What are some signs to watch for?

When would Adult Day be right for us? People don’t come with a handbook, but there are some common indicators that they would benefit from an Adult Day structure. Some signals are:

• Losing their driver’s license. Car keys equal independence. The inability to drive is a strong sign that your loved one would benefit from increased socialization.
• Losing their home. Did they just move in with you? Even if they only moved from down the street, they are still slowly losing independence.
• Withdrawal from the community. Are they watching television all day? Do they get up and dressed in the morning? Adult Day gives a sense of purpose.
• Decline in cognitive function. Adult Day Centers like Intouch are prepared to work with individuals with cognitive impairment. If you don’t feel that they are safe at home during the day they probably aren’t. This is a good time to contact Intouch.

Adult Day centers are ready to help you every way they can, and many – including Intouch – offer free days when you can try them out. Life with your loved one should be enjoyable, and Intouch wants to help in any way we can. If you think that Intouch might be a good place for your loved one, please call us at 309-797-0200.

Sharon Patten is the Program Director at Intouch Adult Day & Home Care Services. She can be reached at (309) 7697-0200 or at Sharon.patten@lssi.org.