By Christine Powers
Special to The Laker/Lutz News
Adult day care centers are an excellent alternative for working caregivers or caregivers that just need a little time off for themselves.
CARES operates two adult day health service centers — one in Dade City at the CARES Crescent Enrichment Center, 13906 Fifth Street, and the other in New Port Richey at the CARES Claude Pepper Senior Center, 6640 Van Buren Street. However, before entrusting their loved one to an adult day care center, most caregivers want to make sure that they will be safe and receive appropriate care. We’d like to address that concern.
CARES adult day care centers are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which requires that all adult day care facilities be licensed. Inspectors visit the centers on a regular basis checking the facility, the food storage and preparation and the fire and emergency plans.
The Department of Elder Affairs and the Department of Agriculture makes sure that the kitchens are clean and that an approved menu is offered. Every year, the food menus must be approved by a registered dietician. The Pasco Office of Emergency Management must approve the centers’ emergency plans. The fire plans, also, must be approved and regular fire drills are required.
The licensing procedures include a review of the participant’s charts to insure that they are receiving proper care. The staff and operation of the facility, are also observed. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas conducts periodic surveys of the centers to insure that they are meeting the criteria for state and federal grant funding.
Adult Day Services have evolved over the last few years from social programs to medical models to meet the needs of the aging population. CARES centers provide quality care that is validated by our outstanding survey results.
CARES Adult Day Services centers are places for older adults, who may be challenged in their everyday activities, to have a whole lot of fun, to make new friends, to play a game of cards or to learn something new all in a well regulated and safe environment.
For more information, call Christine Powers at (727) 863-6868
Christine Powers is the director of Adult Day Care Services.
