In Support of Adult Day Centers

The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) is the leading voice of the rapidly growing adult day services (ADS) industry and the national focal point for ADS providers. Members include adult day center providers, state associations of providers, corporations, educators, students, retired workers and others interested in working to build better lives for adults in adult day programs every day. NADSA is positively impacting the lives of participants, families, communities and our nation.

Having recently attended the NADSA conference and Board Meeting, it was interesting to learn trends in the day center industry. The keynote speaker, Lisa Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, noted that there has been a 35% increase in adult day centers in the United States since last year. She also noted that Family Care is changing. There are more sole caregivers. There is less secondary support. More adult child caregivers as well as male caregivers are surging to the forefront. Additionally, caregiving has an impact on employers as 12% of the American workforce are now primary caregivers.

And, the growing trend, according to Gwyther, is RESPITE care. Unfortunately, caregivers resist this arrangement. RESPITE is the most referred, the least available, and utilized less than any other community service. Caregivers struggle not only with the meaning of the term, but also with the knowledge of services, the stigma, the loss of control, and even with the disclosures of privacy issues.

Yet, like Charlie’s Place, adult day centers and RESPITE care can reduce isolation and bring a productive and purposeful day to a loved one, especially one struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder. The quality of life for individuals with this disease can be enhanced and enriched in these environments and these environments are as good for the care receiver as well as the caregiver. Caregivers have a chance to relax, run errands, and have time away from the responsibilities of caring for their loved ones. Significant improvement in caregiver and patient quality of life is evidenced because of Adult Day Centers.

Not surprisingly, Gwyther closed her presentation with a strong recommendation for Day Centers across the country to open dementia-specific centers and Respite Care to accommodate the growing need and the rising numbers of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s.

It was refreshing to know that Charlie’s Place is on the leading edge of RESPITE care and that our continuing efforts in programming and services lend to a quality of life for both our beloved clients and their caregivers. We salute each of you….our clients, our caregivers, and all our staff as we celebrate National Adult Day Services Week in September. We believe in NADSA’s motto as the commemorative poster states: “Adult Day Services – An older adult’s good friend. A disabled adult’s source of dignity. A valuable community resource.” Thanks for supporting us as we support all of you!

by Dana Territo, Director of Services