Tips on what to look for in adult day care providers

Dear Savvy Senior: Can you offer any tips on choosing a good adult day care provider for an elderly parent? My 81-year-old father, who just moved in with me, has dementia and needs attention during the day while I’m at work. — Need Assistance

Dear Need: Adult day care services can be a great option for caregivers who work or for those who just need a break during the day. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you find and choose one.

Adult day care

The business of adult day care services has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the National Adult Day Serv­ices Association, there are upward of 4,600 adult day centers across the U.S., the result of a 35% increase in older adults since 2002. Those centers provide services to more than 260,000 participants and family caregivers, which is a whopping 63% increase over the past two decades.

As the name implies, adult day care provides care for seniors who cannot care for themselves at home. While services will vary from center to center, they typically provide personal care, meals and snacks, various activities and social interaction in a safe, supportive environment. Additionally, many centers provide health serv­ices such as medication management, various therapies, exercise and transportation to and from the facility.

Adult day care centers generally operate programs during normal business hours five days a week. However, some centers might offer services in the evenings and on weekends, too.

Costs for care will vary as well, usually between $25 to more than $100 per day (the national average is $75 a day), depending on where you live.

Unfortunately, in most cases original Medicare does not pay for adult day care, but some Medicare Advantage plans and many long-term care insurance policies do. But most seniors or their families pay for care out-of-pocket.

If your dad is lower- income and can’t afford this, state Medicaid programs provide financial assistance if he meets eligibility requirements, and some states have PACE programs that provide financial aid. Contact your state Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov) for more information. The VA even provides adult day care to eligible veterans enrolled in their Medical Benefits Package. See VA.gov/geriatrics to learn more.

How to choose

Your first step in shopping for an adult day center is to determine the kinds of services your dad needs and that you need as a caregiver. After you do that, here are some tips to help you locate and choose a good provider.

Start by contacting your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) to get referrals to adult day service programs in your area. You can also search the National Adult Day Services Association database at NADSA.org/locator.

Once you have a list of a few centers, call them to find out eligibility criteria, whether they offer the types of services your dad needs, whether they are accepting new clients, their hours of operation, whether they’re licensed and/or registered with a state agency (this is not required in all states) and what they charge.

After you identify a few good centers, go in for a visit. Find out about the staffing ratio (at least 1 staff member for every 6 participants is recommended) and what kind of training they have. While you’re there, notice the cleanliness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem friendly and knowledgeable? Also, be sure to taste the food, and consider making an unannounced visit.

To help you rate your visit, NADSA offers a helpful checklist of questions to ask at NADSA.org — click on “Site Visit Checklist” under the “For Caregivers” tab.

Then, after your visit, be sure to check their references. Get names and phone numbers of at least two or three families who have used the center you are considering, and call them.

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After you identify a few good centers, go in for a visit. Find out about the staffing ratio (at least 1 staff member for every 6 participants is recommended) and what kind of training they have. While you’re there, notice the cleanliness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem friendly and knowledgeable? Also, be sure to taste the food, and consider making an unannounced visit.

Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC-TV’s “Today” program and author of “The Savvy Senior.” Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070; or visit savvysenior.org.