Caring for a loved one who’s living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can sometimes be challenging. It’s easy to get frustrated, feel uninspired, or even experience Alzheimer’s caregiver burnout. After all, you’re watching someone you love go through a difficult struggle, and while you can help them, you can’t fix it for them.

Something that can be particularly challenging is deciding what kind of additional care to get for your loved one. Some people consider the benefits of day programs. If you’d like to learn more about these kinds of programs, here’s what you need to know to help you decide whether they’re right for you.

What Are Day Programs for People With Alzheimer’s or Dementia?

Adult day programs or day centers are places where older adults can go to socialize and participate in Alzheimer’s-friendly activities. People who attend the adult day programs can also get medical care there. Programs for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia are mainly designed for people with memory loss.

Adult day programs take some of the caregiving responsibility off your shoulders and help your loved one stay active and more connected to others. Because of this, these programs can sometimes help delay the need to send your loved one to a memory care facility, even as their dementia or Alzheimer’s progresses.

What Happens at a Day Program for Alzheimer’s?

Different day programs offer different services and activities. For example, some have a service that picks up your loved one at home, while others may require you to drop them off.

Some of the services offered by day programs may include:

• Activities — They may offer art, music, day trips, physical exercises, or discussion groups for your loved one to enjoy.
• Therapy — If your loved one needs speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy, they may be able to get it at the day center.
• Meals and snacks — Most day centers offer a variety of food options. They may be able to accommodate certain dietary needs or cultural preferences.
• Health services — Day centers can help take care of medical needs such as giving insulin or other medications. Some also offer screenings and immunizations.
• Counseling — Counseling may be available just for your loved one or for the whole family involved in their care.
• Personal care — Day centers often help with toileting and grooming and sometimes offer extras like hair or makeup.
• Behavior management — Staff should be trained to handle common Alzheimer’s and dementia behaviors, such as wandering off or hallucinating.

Most day centers don’t offer all of these services. You may need to explore what’s available in your area and focus on the services that matter most to you and your loved one.

Each day program will have its own schedule. You should be able to get a copy so you always know what your loved one is doing during the day.

What Are the Benefits of a Day Program?

There are many possible benefits your loved one might gain from attending a day program. Each person’s experience is different, but some potential benefits for your loved one include:

• Continued socialization — Day programs help your loved one stay connected to others, reducing feeling isolated like some people with memory problems do.
• Professional care — Most day programs are staffed by memory care specialists. They can also connect you with other local resources.
• Engaging activities — Programs offer a range of activities designed to improve your loved one’s quality of life and well-being.
• Getting more exercise — Some of the offerings at day programs involve physical activity, which can be hard for your loved one to get at home.
• Staying at home longer — As noted above, day programs can help you care for your loved one at home, where they may feel more comfortable and thrive.

Day programs can help caregivers and family members, too. You may get some much-needed rest, and these programs can ease some of the stress of taking care of someone with a memory problem. Day programs also give you a chance to rest and take care of your own health.

They may also make it easier for you to keep your day job, since you won’t be caring for your loved one during working hours. Some day programs also offer support groups for caregivers, which can be a valuable source of comfort and advice.

Adjusting to a New Schedule

It can be hard for someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s to adjust to change. If you want or need them to attend a day program, there are a few steps you can take to make the transition easier.

Try to give your loved one as much control as possible. Depending on how advanced their memory condition is, they may be able to help you choose a program. Stay calm and reassure your loved one when they’re feeling anxious, afraid, or frustrated. Let them express their own feelings about the change, and give them space to adjust.

It’s also important to get support for yourself during this time. Talking with other caregivers may give you ideas and strategies to help your loved one feel more comfortable.

Once the new program begins, ease into it slowly. You might start by having your loved one attend for just a few hours, then gradually increase the time as they adjust.

How To Pay for a Day Program for Alzheimer’s

Paying for a day program for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there may be help available, depending on your loved one’s insurance status and financial situation.

Government programs like Medicare and Medicaid may help cover the cost. Most older adults in the U.S. are on Medicare. Medicaid may cover adults who are too young for Medicare and have a low income and few assets.

In addition, some day programs use a sliding scale. This means the cost is based on your assets or income. People with less will pay less, while people with more will pay more.

If you’re not sure how to pay for a day program, talk to your loved one’s healthcare provider or to the center directly. They often have experience helping families find financial support. You can also check BenefitsCheckUp or Benefits.gov to see if there are local or state programs that might help.

Is a Day Program Right for Your Loved One?

There’s no one way to know for sure if a day program is right for you or your loved one until you try it. If you think it might help your loved one, start looking into programs in your area. Talk with your loved one’s physician or use the Community Resource Finder through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Once you know what programs are available, talk to the staff at each one. Ask about the services they offer and compare them to your list of needs. If you feel good about moving forward, pick one to try.

Plan to visit the center at least twice a week for a month. This gives your loved one time to adjust and work through any resistance they have toward going. By the end of the month, you should have a good sense of whether the program is a good fit. If it’s not, you can choose not to continue or you can try a different program.

Talk With Others Who Understand

At myALZteam, you’ll find the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. On myALZteam, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Have you enrolled a loved one in a day program for Alzheimer’s? How did it match up with what you expected? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.