Being a caregiver for an adult can be a full-time job. Adult day services can be a resource that’s good for you and the loved one you’re caring for, by providing care and companionship for adults that may need assistance with life skills or supervision during the day.
What are adult day services?
Adult day services are programs open to individuals living with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Day services provide structured programs that assist adult individuals with socialization, fitness, recreation and medical care. These programs are often sponsored or supported by local not-for-profit organizations, recreational departments, or the local community.
According to the National Adult Day Services Association, there are typically three types of adult day centers:
- Social – These adult day centers focus on recreational activities and social interaction among individuals.
- Medical – These centers provide mild to extensive medical care and therapeutic services in addition to social activities.
- Specialized – Specialized adult day centers provide services to recipients with specific conditions, such as intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Angel Guardians’ adult day services are designed to positively impact all areas of development with a special focus on social skills, life skills and independence. Our programs feature a wide range of activities, including:
- Bowling
- Dance
- Art therapy
- Cooking
- Library visits
- Meals and restaurant visits
- Volunteering
- And so much more
Our Very Special People’s (VSP) club members get access to regularly scheduled weeknight and weekend community events as well as our club facility.
How can adult day services help caregivers and families?
The responsibilities involved with being a caregiver can be taxing. You spend much of your time focused on your loved one’s needs and put so much energy into providing a healthy, positive lifestyle that extra stress is placed on you. Adult day services can be a resource that provides you and others who care for your loved ones a break. Day services can give you extra time to take care of your personal life and have the space to relax and practice self-care.
A survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving reveals that 43.5 million adults in the United States provide unpaid care to another adult or child. 85% of family caregivers do not receive respite.
Family caregivers receiving four hours or more of respite per week state they feel less burdened, and are typically able to provide care for longer periods with less stress. To find more information on adult day services provided by Angel Guardians, contact us at 402.614.8202 or info@angelguardians.org.
