What are “adult day services”?
Firstly, they differ from seniors’ centers, which are often community centers or park district programs in which seniors participate. Adult day services serve seniors who experience a cognitive decline or limitation (with or without a physical limitation), but do not require nursing home care, where they can go for the day and partake in activities in a safe environment.
In the Naperville area, some adult day services are medical and specialized; however, most adult day services here focus more on a social model, where there is minimal medical support.
The advantages of these centers are huge. For one thing, they are an important alternative to a care facility. If your loved one does not require nursing care, an adult day service can be an invaluable alternative. It also provides caregiver offset. Many caregivers suffer from isolation and burnout because they do not have a chance to rest.
An adult day service allows the caregiver to have a break in their daily routine. Adult day services provide memory and intellectual stimulation for participants via games and activities and help participants hold on to their independence by allowing and encouraging them to continue to do things they can do for themselves without their caregivers.
And lastly, they provide important social stimulation for the participant. If your loved one might benefit from adult day services, I suggest you check out the centers around the Naperville area for an initial assessment.
According to Jennifer Brasfield, Executive Director at Riverwalk Adult Day Services, the feedback is positive, with many saying, “I should have done this sooner.”
For Brasfield, it’s all about knowing that the participants “have a place and friends there that are their own. And even though they are losing control because of a disease, they have a place to be successful and have a purpose.”
Carpe Diem!
