What are Adult Day Services? (ADS)
ADS’s are community-based programs designed to support adults with physical and/or cognitive limitations who may need supervised care in a safe place outside the home. ADS’s also can provide support services to older adults who want to avoid the risks of social isolation and loneliness. ADS’s as well may prevent or postpone nursing home placement. In addition, ADS’s provide a respite to care providers who need a break from caregiving duties and personal time for themselves. ADS centers generally operate during daytime hours Monday through Friday. Some programs however offer services in the evenings and on weekends. Although each center may differ in terms of amenities, most adult day centers offer:
- Social opportunities to interact with peers.
- Activity programs including field trips and community speakers.
- Transportation to and from the center, usually door to door.
- Nutritious meals and snacks with some centers offering special diets.
- Personal care help with toileting, grooming, eating, and other personal activities of daily living.
- Therapeutic exercises and activities for the mind and body.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapies.
- Medication dispensing and health monitoring.
- Support services for care partners in learning caregiving techniques and self-care.
- Cost is much less than home care, assistive living, memory care or nursing home care.
Search for Adult Day Services near you on ilbrainhealth.org.
