Although the Peg Taylor Center is currently celebrating our 26th year of service, many people in the community still aren’t sure what Adult Day Health Care is. Often, a potential participant or their loved ones hear about Adult Day Health Care for the first time when they are referred to our Center by a doctor, social worker, or friend.
Families usually have many questions when they first come through our doors. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be answering those questions here on the blog in our Q&A column. Today, we’ll start with some basic information about Adult Day Health Care.
What is Adult Day Health Care? What can it do for my family?
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) provides comprehensive support for adults of all ages who have the need for some assistance in their daily lives due to injury or illness, and who are seeking improved health and independence. Our participants live alone or with loved ones, and come to the Center between one and five days each week.
Because families and caregivers often play a vital role in our clients’ lives, Adult Day Health Care is a family-centered program. Participants and their families work with a social worker, nurse, physical therapist, and activity director to develop a personalized care plan in conjunction with their doctor’s advice.
The benefits of Adult Day Health Care are numerous, and results often begin to show shortly after starting the program. Nursing care, physical, occupational & speech therapies, meals and nutritional counseling, and social & educational activities work together to strengthen both physical health and mental acuity.
Adult Day Health Care centers also function as community centers, providing a supportive social outlet for adults who might otherwise be isolated in their homes. Participants form lifelong friendships and find meaning in projects and activities. Many participants set goals such as regaining abilities after a stroke or accident–one of our participants regained his driver’s license, while another learned to paint with her non-dominant hand–and they work to achieve those goals with the support of staff and friends. Remarkable recovery can result from this continuing teamwork.
Finally, Adult Day Health Care provides respite and support for caregivers, allowing time for work, errands, or daily activities, all the while knowing that their loved ones are safe and cared for at the Center. Our staff works closely with caregivers to ensure that their needs are being met, as well as the participants’.
Next week, we’ll be talking about who can benefit from Adult Day Health Care at the Peg Taylor Center, and in what circumstances you might want to consider ADHC for yourself or a loved one. In the meantime, have you had an experience with Adult Day Health Care? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
The Peg Taylor Center 