What is an adult day care facility?

An adult day care facility provides social interaction and activities for elderly or disabled adults.

Older people who live at home might require extra support from time to time. This includes those living with dementia, mental health issues, learning disabilities, or chronic conditions. Day care centres also give carers a break from the pressures of looking after an elderly relative.

Adult day care centres provide social opportunities, fun activities, opportunities to learn new skills, and general entertainment.

Hope Park’s Adult day care is provided from within the care home. Day care can also be provided within local community centres or village halls. Most adult care providers charge a fee though you might be eligible to receive financial support.

Services provided by adult day care centres

Adult day care centres enrich participants’ lives by maintaining or developing their skills and offering opportunities to socialise. Some day care centres will tailor their activities to suit the health and fitness levels of elderly participants.

Generally, you can expect activities such as:

• Art and craft
• Games
• Sensory activities
• Day trips
• Life skills
• Lunch clubs
• Quizzes
• Musical entertainment
• Beauty therapy
• Exercise
• Book clubs
• Group viewing of film or TV

What care is provided?

As the name suggests, day care centres for the elderly provide a level of physical care dependent on the participants’ needs. Before attending day care a needs assessment will determine the level of personal care required. This gives participants or carers an opportunity to discuss their requirements and expectations.

Staff at day care facilities are trained to give support to people with dementia, mobility difficulty, learning disabilities, and sensory impairment. Sometimes registered nurses are present at day care services.

Many day care centres can provide help with going to the toilet, eating, drinking, and sometimes provided assisted bathing. Day care centres follow strict health and safety guidelines to ensure participants’ wellbeing. This includes wearing PPE when delivering care.

Depending on the day care centre’s policy you might be required to travel independently. Most day care services arrange transport (like a wheelchair accessible minibus) to take you safely to and from your destination.

What activities and facilities are available?

Day care users can access a range of planned activities and facilities normally enjoyed by full-time residents.

Each daycare centre is different but you can expect most programmes to provide a range of entertainment, skills development, and socialising.

Arts and crafts

Arts and crafts activities might include pottery painting, basket weaving, drawing, and jewellery making. Studies show that crafts can reduce stress and anxiety. Art is a form of creative play that benefits adults as well as children and can support improved mental well being.

Games

Board games can reduce cognitive decline and participants benefit from social interaction. Some day care centres might offer games designed for adults with additional needs.

Sensory activities for patients with dementia

Sensory stimulation has proven beneficial for people with dementia, autism, and sensory impairment. Every day sounds and objects can awaken the senses and elicit positive feelings or memories. Sensory activities might involve touching shells, sand, books, flowers, or patting an animal.

Health

Some daycare facilities for adults may offer visits from chiropodists or physiotherapists. Trained staff can provide foot care such as toenail cutting and basic stretches to encourage greater range of movement. That way, participants can leave day care looking and feeling their best.

Day trips

Day trips are a regular part of day care programmes. Outings might include trips to nearby towns, woodland walks, the beach, or the theatre. Family members are often welcome to join.

Day trips give elderly adults something to look forward to and an opportunity to talk with others. The change of scene can also be beneficial in improving mood.

Life skills

Elderly adults might find they need new skills to adapt to their current situation. Skill development provides tips on how to manage money, maintain a balanced diet, and how to communicate effectively can help participants maintain their independence for longer.

Life skills, or independent living training provided for people with learning disabilities can include activities that teach valuable skills such as using public transport, shopping and managing money, staying healthy with nutritious cooking and visits to the gym, household skills and social skills.

Lunch clubs

Day care facilities often arrange lunch clubs as an opportunity for the elderly to socialise over a nutritious meal. Lunch clubs can take place at a day care centre, like a care home, or in a local restaurant. Lunch clubs might tie in with a quiz or seasonal event such as Christmas.

Beauty Therapy

A haircut or beauty treatment can be mood changing! Beauty therapy has many benefits for the elderly from restoring their sense of individuality to improving self-esteem.

Living well in later life

Day care facilities for the elderly improve quality of life. They can help older people live largely independent lives while connecting them to their community. Day care centres have been proven to be a “life-enriching gateway” to companionship, activities, and the outside world.

Day care for adults also give carers and family time to rest and recharge, which improves relationships overall.

Social and emotional support

Many elderly adults struggle with anxiety or depression. Medical issues, poor sleep quality, and lack of mobility can contribute to depression. Other risk factors include social isolation and loneliness.

However, studies show that regular companionship helps older people feel less lonely. Many report a boost in mood after visiting a daycare centre. Daycare for older adults helps to make friends while still feeling relaxed and is a safe environment.

Benefits of adult day care services for elderly participants

Adult day care services provide many benefits for elderly participants and their carers.

• Adult day care provide care in a safe, welcoming environment for elderly adults in which to spend all or part of the day
• Adult day care reduces loneliness by offering a range of social activities
• Educational activities provide mental stimulation which helps with a better night’s sleep
• Elderly adults can improve their fitness with exercise
• Day care can help older adults maintain their independence for longer by teaching valuable life skills

Benefits of adult day care services for carers

As a care giver, it is essential to take care of your own health. It’s not selfish to want a break. Day care for the elderly can help carers by:

• Offering a break from the demands of care giving
• Reducing stress because you know your loved one is supervised and cared for
• Helping you to recover from burnout and feel more positive about your carer role
• Allowing you to attend work, school, or other activities
• Allowing you to socialise with friends

What can I expect from Hope Park’s Day Care Facilities?

Hope Park House has provided expert elderly care to the residents of Blairgowrie for over 70 years. We provide specialised day care services for people living with dementia. Our services are flexible and are available seven days a week. Day care users enjoy the full range of care available to our permanent residents.

We organise activity sessions with varying themes at various times throughout the week. Planned activities are often dependent on attendees.

Some of the activities on offer include:

• Walking
• Gardening
• Arts and crafts
• Musical entertainment
• Quizzes
• Board games
• Baking
• Hairdressing and beauty therapy
• Gentle physical exercise

We also offer regular outings to local events and places of interest with transport for wheelchair users if required. We have places for up 10 day care users per day. Contact us to discuss a place.

Questions to ask an adult day centre providers