You may have heard of the terms Adult Day Care or Respite. Often, these phrases get confused or mistaken to be the same thing. However, they are two different services that are offered to Seniors and each one has a specific purpose. Today we are going to discuss what Adult Day Care and Respite are, the benefits of utilizing these services, and who you can turn to when someone you care about needs them.
What is Adult Day Care?
Adult Day Care provides the safety, supervision, and companionship that Assisted Living does, but on a day stay basis. Individuals that are no longer safe at home by themselves, but still live at home, do not always have the ability to have someone with them at all times. Loved ones that care for them may need to go out of town, run errands, or just need some time away. Adult Day Care is an ideal, cost-effective option for these scenarios.
An exceptional Adult Day Care Provider will include:
- Assistance with all activities of daily living
- Medication management
- Home-cooked meals and snacks
- Engaging and fun activities
- A safe, structured environment
- Housekeeping
- Alert and attentive caregivers
- Companionship and friendly associations
- Redirection and regular reminders
- Communication and updates with family and loved ones
What is Respite Care?
Respite is like Adult Day Care; however, Respite includes an overnight stay. The individual may live at the Assisted Living or Memory Care home for a day or several weeks, depending on their situation. Respite is utilized when an individual is no longer able to safely stay in their home by themselves, and their caregiver is unavailable.
An exceptional Respite provider will include:
- Assistance with all activities of daily living
- A fully furnished and inviting room
- Medication management
- Home-cooked meals and snacks
- Engaging and fun activities
- A safe, structured environment
- Housekeeping
- Alert and attentive caregivers
- Companionship and friendly associations
- Redirection and regular reminders
- Communication and updates with family and loved ones
What Should People Look for In an Adult Day Care and Respite Provider?
Choosing the right Adult Day Care and Respite Provider is vital. Helping a loved one that is struggling with memory loss find an Assisted Living or Memory Care where they feel comfortable, loved, and can engage in personal interests will make all the difference. When searching for an Adult Day Care and Respite Provider, we recommend that you look at:
- Staffing Ratios
- How many staff members are there compared to the number of residents? The higher the staffing ratio, the better. If your loved one needs assistance, are they able to care for them quickly? It is important that the appropriate number of staff are readily available to tend to your loved one’s needs.
- Inviting and fully furnished room
- It is important that your loved one feels comfortable during their stay. An inviting, fully furnished room is essential. Ensure that the room is well kept, has a private bathroom, temperature control, comfortable bed, and linens.
- Delicious and Nutritious Meals
- Do they provide home-cooked meals and tailor to special dietary needs? It is essential that the food that is being served not only looks and tastes good but is full of health-promoting nutrients.
- Engaging Activities
- Do they have a dedicated activities director that helps the residents participate in engaging, life-enriching activities? It is one thing to participate in an activity. It is another thing to participate in one that genuinely interests your loved one. Find out if the activities that are offered can be tailored to your loved one’s interests.
- Accessible Administrator
- Is the administrator readily accessible to answer your questions or address needs? It is important that you can discuss needs or concerns quickly and not have to wait several days before gaining a response. Assess whether you can easily communicate with the administrator, and how likely they will be able to address you and your loved one’s needs.
- Residents are Content and Well Groomed
- Are the residents happy and look well cared for? It is crucial that your loved one receives the attention, care, and respect that they deserve. Observing the residents at the facility you are visiting will give you a good idea as to how attentive the staff are and the type of care that is being provided.
- Inviting and Calm Atmosphere
- Does the atmosphere feel right, and does it feel like home? From the moment that you drive up to the memory care home, what type of a feeling do you get? Does it feel welcoming, light, and portray an encouraging atmosphere? When you walk up to the door and enter the building, does it give you a positive impression? Are you warmly greeted by the staff? An inviting, calm, and welcoming atmosphere is important when choosing the right memory care home for your loved one.
- Great Survey Outcomes
- Does the facility have good survey outcomes, and have they been awarded local and national quality awards? When deciding which memory came home to select, investigate the facility’s survey outcomes. Look at their survey history and determine whether there have been positive or negative outcomes.
These are just a few questions to ask when searching for the perfect memory care home.
Choose the Cottages Assisted Living & Memory Care
The Cottages Senior Living will provide the best environment for your loved one. Their small, home-like atmosphere and high staff-to-resident ratio helps ensure that the residents are well cared for and their needs are addressed. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care homes only have a maximum of 16 residents per home, which enables our staff to give more personalized care. The home-cooked meals not only follow dietary guidelines but are delicious and nutritious. The activities are tailored to the residents’ wants and desires, creating life-enriching moments. The administrator has an open-door policy and is never too busy to meet with family or answer questions. The home and atmosphere feel calm, happy, and look like a home. The Cottages are secure but never feel like an institution or hotel. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care have received numerous national and state quality awards for their well-run homes, exuding superior care.
If you are looking for an exceptional assisted living or memory care home that offers Adult Day Care and Respite, look no further. Call The Cottages today to schedule a tour or speak with one of our experts! (208) 475-1805.
Schedule a tour!
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the care you or your loved ones will receive at one of our Idaho locations.
If you have any questions, would like to tour one of the Idaho assisted living homes, or receive a no pressure consultation with one of our licensed Administrators, please fill out the form below. Please mention which location or locations are of interest to you.
