ARTICLES / Caregiver /
Caregivers Challenge: Finding Daycare Options /
By Cheryl Ellis, Staff Writer
Caregivers who are just beginning their journey
may feel day care services are for later stages of
their loved one’s situation. The sooner
caregivers locate and enroll their family member in
a program, the greater the benefit for all
concerned. Finding the appropriate day care
can be challenging, but has grown much easier over
time.
More adult day care centers are popping up in
different areas. You may begin to notice more
of them than you did previously, which expands
options for places to start.
THE FIRST HURDLE
Well meaning family and friends may have suggested
day care, using a variety of rationales that can
sometimes border on invasive. If you are the
primary caregiver, take the suggestions into
consideration, while firmly stopping anything that
makes you uncomfortable. But, take the
opportunity to tell everyone offering advice that
when you are ready to look for a site, you will
appreciate their help.
The concerns you may have about quality of care and
cost are valid. The intangible concerns of
whether it is the “right” decision may require more
thought and even some counseling through local
support groups. You must feel comfortable
about your choice to utilize day care to enhance
your relationship with your loved one, and improve
their day-to-day experience.
Once you come to the decision that day care will
enhance your loved one’s experiences and offer you
peace of mind, you can begin looking for facilities
to meet your needs.
WHERE TO LOOK
National organizations are especially helpful if
your loved one spends time with family out of your
area. See
http://www.aoa.gov/. Begin by learning
which resources are state managed. A consumer
guide is available to help navigate the options.
The Alzheimer’s Association has care resources, a
zip code locator for the division serving your area,
and other service friendly carriers to help with
your search. Their section on adding
caregiving skills can be utilized to help caregivers
manage their experience before and after the loved
one has entered a suitable day care environment.
Since caregiver and loved one’s needs change after
daycare placement, evaluating caregiving skills
diminishes stress levels. Find them at
http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_caresource.asp.
Do navigate the entire site to find hidden gems that
will enhance your creativity in searching for
options.
Your city and county guides online will connect you
with day care centers. Some facilities are
privately owned and operated, and will be found
through phone directories or advertisements.
Interview every facility to your comfort level,
remembering that you will eventually need to make a
decision.
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