Adult day services provide many benefits for individuals and loved ones who provide care, also known as care partners. Members take part in socialization and engaging activities, while gaining a sense of purpose. Care partners receive respite, support and flexibility to manage other responsibilities.
In this blog, Open Circle Apple Valley center director Cora Cromer answers several frequently asked questions about adult day services.
What are adult day services and what do they include?
“Our day programs support older adults to help maintain their independence while experiencing meaningful connections, a sense of belonging and an enhanced quality of life,” Cora says.
Adult day services feature activities like art, music, bingo, trivia, card games, exercises and more.
Members receive lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments.
Nurses are on site to provide preventative care, vitals monitoring and other services.
Staff can also help with bathing, grooming, toileting, managing incontinence, distributing medications and coordinating transportation.
What is the goal of Open Circle and adult day services at Cassia?
The goal is to provide purpose and engagement to older adults regardless of where they call home: independent homes or apartments, senior living communities including assisted living and memory care or group homes.
“Open Circle wants to help people remain in their homes and connected to their families and communities,” Cora says. “As people are aging and want to stay in their homes, it’s a cost-effective service to keep people connected and aging in place.”
What are the benefits of adult day services?
Adult day services get members involved in meaningful activities, continue learning new things, strengthen relationships and keep a sense of independence.
Their care partners get a break to do other things. Open Circle Hopkins also employs a licensed social worker to provide a support group and care consultations for care partners.
What is the focus of adult day services?
“We definitely focus on health and wellness,” Cora says. “We have exercise classes every day to keep their physical selves healthy. We believe in lifelong learning. We do a lot of adult education programs to strengthen their mind, body and spirit.”
For example, some members develop a new love of art or music.
What is the Positive Approach to Care™?
Many adult day services members live with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.
Cassia’s dedication to dementia training helps us understand how the brain changes and provide the best support we can. We have taken steps to implement the teachings and trainings about dementia by Teepa Snow and the Positive Approach to Care methods.
“We have certified dementia coaches and trainers and consultants, so we feel like we really have the tools to support people living with dementia,” Cora says.
“It’s really a strength-based approach to care. We focus on what they can do, not what they can’t do. We do things with them, not for them.”
Who works at Cassia’s adult day services centers?
Not only are the staff trained well, but many of them have longevity.
“Our members see the same staff every day,” Cora says. “We really get connected with them. We can really anticipate their needs because we have the same staff here. Our care partners are coming in and out every single day, so we get to know them really well and establish good relationships with them.”
Cora appreciates the opportunity to work with members and their care partners.
“I enjoy seeing the positive benefits of adult day and seeing people continue to be successful despite living with a diagnosis that will never improve,” she says.
Where are Cassia’s adult day services centers?
Cassia has five adult day services centers in Minnesota:
Adult Day Center at Park View Senior Health & Living
200 Park Ln.
Buffalo, MN
Elim Oasis Adult Day Services at Freshwaters United Methodist Church
112 7th Ave. N.
Princeton, MN 55371
Open Circle of Apple Valley at Apple Valley Village Senior Health and Living
14610 Garrett Ave.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Open Circle of Heritage Park at Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center
1015 4th Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Open Circle of Hopkins near Chapel View Senior Health and Living
34 10th Ave. S.
Hopkins, MN 55343
952-935-8143
