News Brief
A story in the Wall Street Journal , January 10, 2008, reported that the demand for adult day care is booming as baby boomers find themselves reluctant to leave their parents home alone.
The story, by Jeff D. Opdyke, said:
“Adult day care serves some 400,000 people nationally, by some estimates.
“The average cost is about $61 per day. A home health aide could run $152 for an eight-hour day.
“Services include physical therapy, exercise and grooming.”
As the story said, “Granted, the numbers remain relatively small. That’s largely because, “there’s still a stigma attached to ‘day care,”‘ says Sue Meier, administrator at Landmark Home Healthcare, which serves Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County, home to one of the oldest populations in the country. “People think, ‘day care,’ and think this is childlike care - and it’s not.”
Many a parent in their80s has protested going to such a program because, “Those are for old people.” Don’t laugh. Studies show that, as we age, our definition of what old is advances. One geriatrician said, “Old is whatever age is five or ten years older than the person speaking.”
What You Can Do
Start early.
The ears-always-open method works well. When you hear people talking about any health care institutional experience, tune in. You will begin to sense what the strengths and weaknesses of each may be. You never know when you may need a health service so acquainting yourself with what’s available near you is just smart. The most satisfied and the most-disatisfied are always the ones who say the most.
For several years before you think you might need elder day care or home health services, ask around about the good ones.
It will reduce the stress of looking if something sudden happens to the parent. You will not be desperately trying to cobble together arrangements.
More than ears open, talk to anyone who mentions using elder care services such as these. Good day care programs for the elderly often are sponsored by religious institutions and non-profits who run nursing homes. You can start there. There also are for-profit companies in this business. It depends on whether you live in an area with enough people to make offering the service profitable for them.
There is little as sensitive as inviting someone into your home for eight hours a day. If you anticipate you will need a home health aide, finding a worker who is someone your parent is comfortable with—-and you are, too—-can take a little time. Don’t be discouraged if the first one doesn’t work out.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2008; The Associated Press, January 10, 2008;
AOL Money/Finance, January 10, 2008