Adult day care costs $99/day, with a 2 day/week minimum! My Sweetheart of 54 years has AD. He was diagnosed 9 years ago. I'd like to give him the experience of adult day care, but it is so expensive. I have activities for him to do every day, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what they do at the day care centers that maybe I can add to our home activities. We have coloring, dot-to-dots, stickers, one game on the computer. I'd like to add more but can't think of anything else. I would certainly like to hear what y'all do..... I don't really want to rely on the TV for entertainment.
My father used to spend a lot of time reading, period magazines such as Reminisce, Country, Farm and Ranch, and the "Extra" versions of the first two. I've been reading one of the Farm and Ranch magazines and find it very soothing, especially the photos of beautiful open land.
It's also an interesting insight into farming, getting up well before dawn to feed the animals and do chores, off to work for those who aren't full time farmers or ranchers, then home to work again. I couldn't maintain that kind of schedule, and I end up feeling lucky that I grew up in suburban areas.
Solitaire with real cards is another potential activity.
The Alz. Assn. used to have a page full of potential activities. You might check that out; I don't know if it's still available though.
It’s not just the activities, it’s also the socialization and the fact that you, too, need time away from him for even the absolutely necessary stuff like doctors, banks, the store. There’s a risk in leaving someone for even a minute.
The adult day care sounds like the best solution.
As time goes on, your DH will need more and more assistance, and there will be times when you won't be able to be with him/help him.
Their charge sounds reasonable to me, but that may depend on where you live. Perhaps it is time to do some advanced care planning for DH's future needs, and times when you cannot provide all of his care.
Good luck to both of you.
As long as he’s peaceful and reasonably compliant, his regular routine AND TV sound like a pretty good mix, within the boundaries of what you can do yourself.
Some of the day cares around here invite entertainers, small children, animal visits, interesting things that encourage socialization and attention.
There is a church sponsored group around here. I’m going to find out what they charge so you can make a comparison.
You can check with your local Area Agency on Aging and see if he qualifies for any services that may pay for care or a reduced cost day care.
Check with your local Senior Center they may also have programs that would be a good fit for him.