Adult Day Services - A win-win-win solution

Most people as they age want to remain living in their home even when they need assistance. There are many studies that reveal that older people fear losing their independence and moving to a nursing home more than they fear death. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of a unique service that can allow your family member to be cared for during the day while you work easing the challenges of care.

Adult Day Services provides coordinated, compassionate, and professional care for your family member who can no longer be safe on their own. These services include door to door transportation, social and therapeutic activities, meals, and personal care. Adult Day Services allows spouses, children and other caregivers the ability to both care for their family member and have time to work or complete needed chores without fear. This is a compassionate service which can save people numerous disruptive moves in and out of care facilities or eventual settlement in a nursing home.

Adult Day Services is not only a humane alternative to nursing home care but is also tremendously cost-effective and saves tax payers millions of dollars every year. While nursing homes cost over $200 per day, Adult Day Services costs around $70 per day - nearly 1/3 the cost. Health care reformers should take serious notice of this.

With the continued growth in the baby boomer generation and the natural increase demand for long-term care service, public and political awareness of community-based services such as Adult Day Services will play an important role in ensuring individuals age in place. Our seniors deserve dignity without the fear of a loss of independence or an impending departure to a nursing home.


Adult Day Service is an excellent choice for many families:
• Individuals can age in place – the clear preference for most people
• Caregivers have the best of both worlds – caring for their family member, but retaining their independence
• Taxpayers pay 1/3 the cost of nursing home costs thus saving millions

For more information on Adult Day Services, go to the National Adult Day Services Association Website at www.NADSA.org. For information on Adult Day Services in Oneida County contact Michelle Murphy, Director of Elderly Services at 797-4642.

- Ken M.