Today I'd like to bring to your attention an oft overlooked industry whose services you may one day want to consider: Adult Day Care (ADC) or Adult Day Services (ADS). It's not nursing care, but rather much like children's day care, only for adults who depend on family caregivers to look after them. This service gives their caregivers a much needed break when they need to recharge themselves or otherwise cannot be present to care for a loved one such as when working.
A couple of years ago I had never even heard of this. That all changed when I was introduced to Duane Starkey, an advocate of these services. His knowledge of and dedication to the Adult Day Care field is so extensive and persuasive that today you might say I've become something of an advocate myself. (Google "adult day care Ronald Garner")
Mr. Starkey is founder and chairman of Physicians Adult Daycare, Inc., a Houston-based company that provides daily care services for a family's loved ones without the typical confinement of a nursing home. They provide their own door-to-door transportation system that picks up your loved one at their home and returns them there at the end of the day.
By focusing not only on the social and special needs of the elderly and disabled, but also on their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Adult Day Services centers offer advantages over nursing homes.
They also provide a continental breakfast, activities such as arts and crafts, games, arts and crafts, physical and mental training under the supervision of a Licensed Nurse and Activities Director, scheduled group outings and dietary-supervised hot meals. This system of supervision and interactivity helps promote an active and prolonged life for their clientele and is part of a safe, low-cost alternative to nursing homes.
Physician's Adult Daycare, Inc. provides needed services for an improved and Quality Of Life for elders and the handicapped. Physician's Adult Daycare, Inc. help senior's preserve their independent living lifestyle and bring relief to their caregivers.
According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, "Nursing home placement may accelerate short-term cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Prior experience in adult day care may lessen this association."(Source: ) This is great news for the "Baby-Boomers" and all of us. It's is why Physician's Adult Daycare, Inc. is in the business.
Even if you live beyond their current area, I know Physician's Adult Daycare would be glad to lend you access to the company's knowledgebase and references in your area should you ever need a respite from being a family caregiver.
Running a business and/or looking after a growing family is a tough act itself. Add to it the need to take care of an elder and anyone can see the growing need for caregiver respite.
For additional information, please visit their corporate website, .
Reference:
American Journal of Psychiatry.Nursing Home Placement, Day Care Use, and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., Judith J. McCann, D.N.Sc., Yan Li, Ph.D., Neelum T. Aggarwal, M.D., David W. Gilley, Ph.D., and Denis A. Evans, M.D.
