No doubt care at home is many times the better option … says the home care expert writing this piece 🙂
..but seriously, sometimes circumstances will play a bigger part that we anticipated and we have to adapt. The best solutions always fit human needs in play.
Similar to children’s day care, adult day care (ADC) provides convalescent seniors with supervision and care in a structured setting during daytime hours allowing their primary caregivers to work or take a break from their care giving responsibilities.
There are basically 3 different models:
- The traditional model
- The medical model
- The Alzheimer’s model
The traditional model – focuses on engaging in the broad sense of needs such as daily activities, physical wellbeing and social interaction.
The medical model – focuses on rehabilitation for patients secondary to conditions such as strokes, physical challenges, and education. These are staffed usually by RNs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.
The Alzheimer’s and dementia model – focuses on patient with behavioral and cognitive challenges associated with these conditions.
Who pays for adult daycare services?
A full day of adult daycare in Florida ranges from $50 and $156, with a median of about $65, this compared to a median of $69 nationally.
Medicare will not pay for adult daycare services.
In most states, Medicaid will pay for adult day care. Each state has several Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers. These waivers help seniors remain living in their homes and communities by providing the necessary care and support services. Very often, this includes adult day care and transportation assistance to and from the community.
If you are unable to find financial assistance for adult day care, it is worth noting the cost of adult day care is almost always tax deductible. It can be included as a Medical and Dental expense. Also, if your loved one is your dependent, the costs can be deductible under the Dependent Care Credit.
Here are some resources that will be useful when figuring out how to pay for senior care in Florida:
Florida OSS for Seniors
Florida Project R.E.L.I.E.F.
Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
Florida CCE Program
Florida Home Care for the Elderly
Florida Local Services Program
So why should you consider an adult daycare model again?
Let’s recap …if a few hours away from home in a social setting and within a program of choice that promotes the right benefits and engagement for your parent, and allows You –the family caregiver, to go about your personal life, work, leisure, etc …then adult day care services could be considered as a viable option.
As a family caregiver, knowing your options to care for a loved one and how they best fit your particular situation is essential to your success, personal health, and ultimate quality and lifestyle design goals.
I hope this information helped and if so please share it!
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