How to Choose Adult Day Care
By Loma Davies Silcott
Kansas Senior Press Service
Adult day care services are community-based group programs that help meet the needs of adults who don’t need 24-hour care but can’t function well alone for more than a few hours at a time. Often it provides coverage for a caregiver who needs to be gone during the day.
Periodically even if he or she does not work outside the home, the caregiver needs a break, and an adult day care facility can provide it. Caregivers should never feel guilty in acknowledging they need a little time for themselves.
When choosing a care facility, decide what level of care is needed. Then ask the center to send you its program brochure, schedule of activities, and monthly or weekly menu, as well as necessary application forms.
Before visiting a center, ask about eligibility requirements and how mobile participants must be. Ask if they care for people with incontinence and/or memory problems or those who are confined to a wheel chair. Ask about the cost per day and find out if weekly or monthly discounts are available.
Ask what their staff-to-participant ratio is. Find out what kind of activities they offer.
In addition ask what kind of training the staff has and how long the center has been in operation. Find out if you need a physician's certification to qualify for services and if the center is licensed by the State of Kansas.
Next visit the facility and look around. Is it handicap accessible? Are chairs sturdy and comfortable? Is there somewhere to rest? Is there a separate area for someone who is ill? Are there safeguards to protect confused participants from wandering away? Does the building have smoke detectors, sprinklers, and an emergency evacuation plan?
Does staff seem cheerful and helpful? Do participants appear to be well taken care of? Are there a variety of activities? Is food appetizing? Can special diets or food preferences be met? Are snacks provided?
If you are favorably impressed, ask for the names of two or three families who use the center. Then ask them what they think about the program and if they would recommend it.
Although Medicare does not cover day care costs, Medicaid can pay all the costs in a licensed day care center if the senior qualifies financially.* To find out the criteria for financial eligibility go to the SRS (Social and Rehabilitation Services) website at <www.srskansas.org>.
In addition, some day care centers offer need-based scholarships. Others use a sliding fee scale based on income. Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of day care costs. Also depending on the policy, long-term care insurance may pay for adult day services. In addition, dependent care tax credits may be available to the caregiver.
To locate adult day care centers in your area, call your Area Agency on Aging. Or contact the Kansas Department on Aging, 503 Kansas Avenue, Topeka,Kansas 66603-3404; e-mail: <www.mail@aging.state.ks.us>, or by telephone: 1-800-432-3535.
*Editor’s note : The day care center must be enrolled as a Medicaid provider and accept Medicaid rates in order for a senior to benefit from Medicaid assistance for adult day care.
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