Selecting a Center
What to Expect
Adult day centers in North Carolina are required to be certified by the North Carolina Division of Aging. Centers are required to operate at least 6 hours per day, at least 5 days per week. Assistance with personal care and health care are incorporated throughout the day, depending on the services provided by the center and the needs of the people enrolled. A typical schedule is as follows:
7:00-9:00 AM Arrival / Breakfast
9:00-10:00 AM Current Events / Exercises (chair aerobics)
10:00-11:30 AM Meaningful Person-Centered Activities (group and/or individual)
11:30 AM-1:30 PM Lunch / Quiet Time
1:30-3:00 PM Exercises (physical games) / Meaningful Person-Centered Activities (group and/or individual)
3:00-3:30 PM Afternoon Snack
3:30-6:00 PM Small group and individual person-centered activities
Selecting Quality Providers
Finding care services for someone who needs supervised care is a task that should not be taken lightly. This guide will help you in your search for quality, community adult day service centers.
Adult Day Centers provide a planned program that includes a variety of health, social and support services in a protective setting during daytime hours. This community-based service should be designed to meet the individual needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults.
Step #1 - Review services
What specific services are important to and for the person who needs supervised care?
– A safe, secure environment?
– Companionship?
– Therapeutic activities?
– Assistance with eating, walking, toileting, medicines, blood sugar level monitoring?
– Therapies – physical, speech, occupational?
– Health monitoring – blood pressures, food or liquid intake, weight?
– Nutritious meals & snacks?
– Special diet?
– Exercise?
– Mental stimulation?
– Personal care – bathing, shampoos, shaving?
What do you, the caregiver, need and want?
– Occasional free time?
– Coverage while working?
– Transportation for your family member to get to and from the center?
– Support?
– Assistance in planning for care?
Step # 2 -- Locate Certified Centers
Identify services in your area. For names and phone numbers of the adult day centers, try:
– NC County Departments of Social Services
– NC County Health Departments
Step #3 - Research potential center websites, social media, call to inquire
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Step #4 - Ask questions and assess if it is right for you
Look for the following information in the material received:
– Owner or sponsoring agency
– Years of operation
– State certification
– National accreditation (only required for centers accessing certain funding sources in NC)
– Hours of operation
– Days open
– Transportation and other services offered
– Cost – Hourly or daily charge, other charges, financial assistance
– Conditions accepted – such as memory loss, limited mobility, incontinence
– Staff credentials
– Number of staff per participant
– Activities provided – Is there variety and choice of individual and group activities?
– Menu – appeal, balance
– Payment options
Step #5 - Pay a Visit
Site Visit Checklist
Step #6 - Check References
Talk to two or three people who have used the center you are considering. Ask for their opinion.
Step #7 - Try It Out
Select a day center. Try it for three to five days. It sometimes takes several visits for new participants to feel comfortable in a new setting and with a new routine. If you have questions or are experiencing any problems, ask for a conference. Staff may have suggestions to make the transition easier both at home and at the day center.
Step #8 - Take Care of Yourself
Relax. Your loved one is being well cared for. Remember, your loved one may not be able to recall all the activities enjoyed during the day. The staff will gladly provide the missing details. The day center staff is there for you, too. Ask for:
– Tips to make caregiving easier
– Additional resources available in the community