Whether for health or social needs, how to find the right ‘day care’ for parents – St George News

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FEATURE –There comes a time in the natural evolution of life when it makes sense to seek outside help in caring for one’s parents.

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Dad was still vital and mostly self-sufficient, but he was bored and needed more to keep himself occupied. The idea of ​​finding a daycare center for him was finally tackled. He needed more interaction and more stimuli, and for that we needed a short break every day.

We set out on the adventure of finding a satisfactory place for Dad to visit a couple of times a week. First, we learned that there are two differences in daycare for adults. One choice would be for health care needs and the other for social interaction. Luckily for Dad, it was the social choice we were looking for.

We have been advised that there are many differences in daycare for adults, not just the health and special issues. Physical access was a major problem; Papa used a rollator and sometimes it was easier for him to get around in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, not all daycare centers for adults accept wheelchair users.

We asked for an activity plan which we felt was an essential part of finding the right one. Do you offer physical activities? What is mental stimulation offered? Is a daycare employee involved or is that left to those who use the daycare? Do you encourage children to visit? Having a grandchild stop by and visit can lift everyone’s spirits. Activities are key. Make sure you ask.

The goals of a well-run adult daycare center will offer activities that will enrich the experience. Here are some of the activities you can do:

• Arts and crafts therapy.
• Musical entertainment and sing-alongs.
• Mental stimulation games such as bingo and card games.
• Stretching or other gentle exercises.
• Discussion groups led by an employee.
• Holidays and birthday parties.
• Visits to religious organizations.

Does the day care offer catering? If only snacks and drinks are offered, what is the menu like? So many people have allergies or have special or restricted diets so you have to ask. Water is vital for older adults. Is drinking water promoted in the day care center? It seems like a simple question, but the answer is basic.

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One big surprise we found on our first visit to day care was how dirty the bathrooms were. It is important to see and inspect the bathrooms. Is the towel dispenser full? Is there hand soap? Are there handrails to help the user? Find out about the opening times. What happens if someone picks up dad too late? Are they open on weekends? Is there a shift change during the day? Will it affect Papa’s visit?

Ask about costs and expenses. What is the daily rate? Is there an hourly rate? According to A Place for Mom, the average daily fees range from $ 100 to $ 300. Is there a weekly minimum price to keep daddy’s place if he’s not there regularly? Some non-profit day care centers offer scholarships. Ask again!

Also consider the staff-to-user ratio. We always asked about the staffing rate, and the better centers had the better rates. We found that there was a better staff-to-user ratio in nonprofit daycare centers. It may seem like an absurd question, but are they licensed? Ask them, then ask about their licenses. Any credible center will be happy to show you its license, don’t just accept it.

It was a wonderful experience for dad. He’s looking forward to going to the center, originally we had planned two days a week, and now he uses the facilities almost every day. He made a nice group of friends and learned new activities that he never thought would interest him.

I hope our research will help you find an adult daycare center.

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Copyright © Lyle Boss, all rights reserved.

Lyle Boss is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization that advocates a fully transparent approach to money management. As an asset protection instructor, he has helped thousands of seniors find their financial retirement options. Its clients include government employees, teachers, doctors, farmers and business people to name a few. Boss has been actively teaching advanced estate planning and wealth preservation for more than 20 years in locations like the University of Utah and in over 200 Senior Retirement Consumer Education Workshops throughout Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Boss and his wife Deanna live in South Ogden and St. George, Utah.