How senior daycare programs are enhancing lives
By Kristen West
With Colorado’s quickly increasing aging population, many families are becoming caretakers for their loved ones. Keeping them home or close to home maintains family connections, familiarity and more personalized attention when physical or cognitive needs increase.
It also avoids expensive assisted living costs. But what happens when caretakers need to work, experience burnout or their loved one feels isolated? Senior daycares are becoming a popular solution.
Geriatric professionals like Dr. Mandy Peng are seeing positive impacts on patients who attend these programs. “It can take some effort and creativity to maintain a connection with others, but it’s such an important part of healthy aging,” says Dr. Peng, a geriatric physician with UCHealthSeniors Clinic and an assistant professor in geriatric medicine at CU School of Medicine. “An activity-based day program is a great way to increase socialization while participating in activities seniors enjoy or never tried before.”
Daycare programs offer flexible drop-off options and provide activities for seniors experiencing physical or cognitive difficulties who aren’t ready for full-time professional care. Activities vary but include things like music, games, field trips, outdoor time, art, meals and low-impact exercises like tai chi, which has been shown to decrease fall rates.
Dr. Peng says that staying socially, cognitively and physically active like this can help seniors remain independent longer and feel like they are part of a community. “I have two patients who are non-English speakers who love going to their day programs because they have friends and caregivers who can communicate with them in their native language,” she says. “It’s the only socialization they have. One of them even provides good Korean food with enough to take home.”
Debbie Bailey, co-owner of Agape Senior Daycare in Lone Tree, saw an increasing need for senior daycare services and felt a pull to use her own home as a facility after her and her husband’s five children were grown. “So many elderly people sit at home and just watch TV, and that’s how they’re spending their lives,” Bailey says. “That made me sad. I think daycare one hundred percent improves families’ lives.”
Bailey has seen improvements in the mobility and mood of many participants at Agape. However, the increased quality of life extends to caregivers, too. “This facility is so great because there’s a lot of people who can’t afford assisted living, so they take care of their loved ones, but they need a break,” she says. Some caregivers just need a few hours to run errands or treat themselves to a spa day to relax and recuperate. Others work and need peace of mind knowing their loved one is in a safe space being looked after while they can’t be available.
While insurance doesn’t cover most senior daycares, Dr. Peng says many of her patients also use the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This Medicaid/Medicare program provides connections to support programs and professionals, as well as transportation for eligible seniors. Families can send their loved ones to daycare once or twice a week rather than every weekday.
Bailey says to allow time for adjustment, too. “It’s like dropping your children off at kindergarten. They’re hesitant, they don’t know anyone, and they’re a little scared,” she says. Eventually, in the right circumstances, they will warm up. “They realize they get to do fun things and be around people. They are just so happy and appreciative.”
Agape Senior Daycare
agapeseniordaycare.com
