Senior Centers and Adult Care Centers: Good for You and Your Loved One!

As members of the “sandwich generation,” many of us are either still working or retired and are caregivers.  Regardless of your age range in this group, there is going to be a time when you’re going to need a well-deserved break to refresh yourself, or you’re an active senior looking for social interaction, physical exercise, and intellectual stimulation. Senior centers and adult care seniors are two places to check out.

As a Certified Senior Advisor®, I felt compelled to create a toolkit about respite care.

The Family Caregiver Respite Care Toolkit gives you practical tools to be less stressed, more healthy, self-caring (without guilt!), and empowered to become a more balanced and abundant family caregiver.

Senior centers and adult care centers could be the answer for you and your loved one’s specific needs. These two types of community centers are geared toward providing holistic care for seniors.  Even though these two centers are viewed as basically the same, they are not. 

As a family caregiver seeking respite care for yourself or a loved one, or as an active and independent-living senior, you need to consider the difference between the two and the advantages and the disadvantages of each.

Let’s review the two:

Senior Centers:

If you’re in relatively good mental and physical health, live independently, and in most areas are at least fifty-five, then choosing a senior center might provide the social/physical/mental stimulus for you.

Most senior centers offer various activities such as classes, workout rooms, trips, community dining, and crafts.  You have to take the initiative to join a senior center. 

Most centers are funded by non-profit organizations, state and local governments.  Usually (but not always), the cost of meals (which are pretty nominal) is your only cost. 

Senior centers can be very beneficial to cultivate new social relationships (especially for widows and widowers).  It is vital to check out your local senior center to see if it’s a “good fit” for you.  Unfortunately, some (but by no means all!) centers have been stereotyped as drab and lifeless, with nothing to offer an active and vibrant senior. 

However, many centers today are emphasizing health and wellness on all levels of activities provided.

We “baby boomers” tend to demand whole-life quality, and we like to voice our opinions.  It’s definitely worth your time and effort to give them a try!

Some Advantages of Joining a Senior Center:

• Many offer physical fitness facilities
• They offer many different educational courses, and computer training and facilities.
• Meals are planned with nutrition in mind.
• There’s an emphasis on social and intellectual interaction with peers.
• Interesting planned trips (usually day trips or extended trips)

Some Disadvantages of Joining a Senior Center:

• You’re expected to be independent and thus are responsible for transporting yourself to and from a senior center (note: some centers provide local transport, so check with your local senior center if this is a concern for you).

• Because of the mixture of various senior ages and other diversities, some may feel “left out” or not a “welcome member of the group.”  Unfortunately, this happens.  If this is the case, then don’t immediately give up!  There are bound to be other organizations and groups in your area that will fit you better. 

Adult Care Centers:

If you’re a caregiver, then considering the service of an adult care center may be the answer for you and your loved one.

Adult care centers provide a nurturing and protected environment providing some health and social services for seniors who need supervised care.  They’re usually for those who cannot safely stay at home by themselves, usually because of physical or cognitive problems.  Adult care centers are a source of respite care not only for the caregiver but for the care recipient too.

There are Three Basic Levels of Care Offered in Adult Care Centers:

Health Day Care:

Helps seniors with various medical, speech, and occupational therapy needs. 

They can also provide nursing and incontinence services as well.

Social Day Care:

Seniors who don’t have severe mental or physical impairments but aren’t independent enough to attend a senior center.  While they enjoy the camaraderie and companionship in a supervised environment, the family caregiver feels a measure of relief while working or tending to their other needs.  It’s a respite for both!

Dementia Day Care:

This is care for those with various forms of dementia (i.e., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and conditions causing dementia.  The staff is well-trained in the care of dementia clients. Again, this specialized care can be a God-send for family caregivers because of the intense stress of caring for someone with dementia.

Some Advantages of Having Your Loved One Attend an Adult Care Center:

• They offer health, social, and dementia care
• Healthy, nutritious meals are provided
• Much-needed respite help for the family caregiver
• A safe, nurturing environment
• Social and educational activities

Some Disadvantages of Having Your Loved One Attend an Adult Care Center:

• Because your loved one is physically or mentally impaired, they may not be able to express frustration or may dislike their new environment.  IMPORTANT: You need to initially be physically present to assure your loved ones that you have not abandoned them.  Also, you want to observe the level of care they’re receiving, so show up a couple of times unannounced.

• The facility may not be up to your standards, which can be frustrating.  So be sure to do your homework first!  Ask for references.  Visit the facility, and get brochures. Also, find out if they’re licensed or certified.  Call your local Area Agencies on Aging and your local Department of Social Services to ask if there have been any complaints about the ACC facility.

Conclusion:

Both types of centers are good resources and can be very beneficial to you or your care recipient’s specific needs. Both types of centers have their advantages and disadvantages.  However, they are both worth careful consideration for the health and well-being of you as a family caregiver, your loved one, and for a more balanced and abundant life!

Additional Resources:

• Check out a great resource called the Eldercare Locator (under the U.S. Administration on Aging).  You can also call them at 800-766-1166.
• Also, read AgingInPlace.org’s post, “Adult Day Care.” 
• “The Unintentional Caregiver.” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. May 25, 2021.
• “The Sandwich Generation: Our Need for Balanced, Abundant Living.” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. June 1, 2021.
• “Give Yourself a Break!: Self-Compassion is Good for You!” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. March 26, 2021.

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