If you have a loved one, perhaps a mother, father, or someone else who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, you know how much sacrifice and effort it is to take care of them. When you are giving them your attention 24 hours a day, you can forget about yourself. But when you are doing this all the time, you also need a little rest, a little freedom, don't you? Sometimes when you need to go out for a while to get something, to do some exercise, a close relative or friend will probably come to help. But it may not be possible every day. This is when the concept of "senior day care centers" helps us a lot.
What is an adult day care center?
Simply put, this is a place where older adults can spend their day in a safe and enjoyable way, engage in activities with others, and receive medical and rehabilitation services if needed. Some centers accept any adult in general, while others target those with specific conditions, such as Alzheimer's.
The biggest advantage of this is that your loved one can stay at this center during the day and return home at night. This way, they do not lose their home, their environment. Also, this method is a great help for them to maintain their independence and stay at home for as long as possible. In the meantime, you will have the opportunity to take care of them during the day, do your work, rest a little, and get some mental relief.
This is beneficial for both you and your loved one. While you get a break, they get a chance to socialize and do new things.
What services are available at these centers?
Although the services provided by an adult day care center vary slightly from place to place, you can generally expect the following. Let's look at these in a table.
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Therapy Services | Treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can help Alzheimer's patients improve their physical strength, ability to perform daily tasks, and communication. |
| Food and nutrition | Providing nutritious and clean lunches and teas. They also take care of special dietary needs. |
| Social activities | Keeping them happy and active through things like listening to music, watching movies, doing simple crafts, and playing team games. |
| Personal Care | If necessary, help with bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. |
| Medical services | Services from health professionals, such as registered nurses or therapists. This may include things like administering medication on time. |
| Transportation facilities | Some centers provide transportation from home to the center and back. |
How to choose a good daycare center?
Okay, now you have a rough idea. The next big challenge is to find a reliable, good place that suits your loved one. Follow these steps to do so.
1. Find information first.
The best places to look for centers like this in your area are:
- Religious places like temples and churches in your area.
- Social Services Division of the Divisional Secretariat.
- Ask your family doctor or the doctor who is treating your loved one.
- You can also find out more about this from retirement homes or nursing homes.
Once you have a list, call those places and ask them about their application process, what kind of people they accept, what their activities are, and what their meals are like.
2. Be sure to ask these things before going somewhere
You should ask these questions when talking to a few of your chosen locations.
| Question to ask | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| How long has this center been in operation? | Having more experience usually indicates stability and reliability. |
| Who owns this? How is it controlled? | It is important to know whether this is a non-governmental organization, a religious institution, or a private business. |
| What are the days and times that it is open? | This is essential to see if it fits your needs. |
| How is the fare? | Find out if it fits your budget and if there are any additional fees. |
| Do you provide transportation? | This can be a very important convenience for you. |
3. The best thing is to go and see for yourself!
The best thing to do is to visit the center with your loved one. When you do, pay special attention to these things:
- Are the staff friendly? Look at the way they talk to and treat the elderly.
- Is the place clean? Does it smell good? Cleanliness is the number one health concern. If it smells bad, that's not a good sign.
- Is there a separate place to rest if someone gets sick?
- What are the qualifications of the staff? Ask if they have any training in elder care.
- Are volunteers helping?
- What is the ratio of adults to staff? Generally, a ratio of six adults to one staff member (1:6) is considered a good level.
- Can I get references from others who have used this service? It would be very helpful to hear from them.
About fees and insurance
The fees for such centers in Sri Lanka vary from place to place. Those run by non-profit organizations or religious institutions may have relatively lower fees. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to get some coverage for services such as physiotherapy. Check with your insurance company directly to make sure.
Take-Home Message
- Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is not easy, so it's normal to need a break. Don't feel guilty about it.
- An adult daycare center is a great opportunity for your loved one to spend the day in a social and safe environment while you relax.
- Never make decisions based solely on what you hear. Be sure to visit the center, see everything with your own eyes, ask questions, and research thoroughly before making a decision.
- Talk to your family doctor about whether this type of service is right for your loved one. He or she will be able to give you good guidance.
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