It is important to provide care and attention to the elderly to maintain an optimal quality of life. This includes avoiding inactivity, social disconnection and sedentary lifestyles, as these factors can have a negative impact on their physical and emotional well-being. It is essential to remember that everyone ages differently and that individual needs must be addressed to ensure healthy and fulfilling aging.

Despite the illnesses that are usually associated with age, in these cases, the objective is to ensure that the elderly person retains as much autonomy as possible.

In this regard, physical activity has been shown to improve mobility and stimulate the brain. It is in day centers where programs to improve eating habits and promote active aging are promoted. All this with the aim of achieving a better standard of living.

In this regard, WHO defines active aging as the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to improve the quality of life of people as they age.

What are day centers?

Day centers for the elderly are safe and adapted facilities where a group of qualified professionals attend to the specific needs of elderly people who do not require continuous assistance during certain hours of the day.

Elderly people who come to the day care centers, by their own means, accompanied by their relatives or by transport service, continue to reside at home. The day center promotes personal autonomy so that the elderly can extend their stay in their own home.

On the other hand, the elderly who spend the day in a center of these characteristics share their day with other companions, socializing and carrying out team activities.

We can also find day centers specializing in physical and cognitive care, including care for people with dementia, are a valuable option for those seeking personalized, high-quality care for their loved ones. These centers are designed to provide a safe and stimulating environment for seniors, with a focus on promoting independence and functionality.

In these facilities, health care professionals can work with residents to develop individualized care plans that address their specific needs. This may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, exercise programs and cognitive activities designed to keep the mind active and stimulated.

In addition to health care services, specialized day centers may also offer social and emotional support services. This may include recreational activities, counseling and emotional support, and educational enrichment programs.

How do they work?

At present, day centers can be public, private or subsidized. They are staffed by a team of social-health professionals specialized in different gerontological areas (physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and neuropsychologists) who plan programs tailored to the needs of each elderly person.

Elderly people who attend day centers also enjoy the company of other users in similar circumstances, which has a positive impact on their self-esteem and mood.  

When is it advisable and in which cases?

Day centers are indicated for elderly people who do not require continuous assistance, with low or moderate levels of physical or cognitive dependence, although it is true that there are also more specialized day centers for the care of grandparents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Differences between a day center and a nursing home

Both the type of services offered by each and the profile of the elderly are different, but the main differences lie in the type and length of stay, as well as in the focus of care: in the day center the objective is therapeutic and stimulating, while in the nursing home it is assistance. The residence offers day and night stay to the users. It becomes the home: the person lives there, but can receive visitors and leave whenever the relatives wish.

A day care center offers day care Monday through Friday or Saturday. The grandparent goes there to spend the day - doing activities, workshops, exercise. In terms of diet, he eats breakfast, lunch and snacks, but sleeps at home.

Advantages of a day care center for the elderly

In general, day centers offer the elderly a number of advantages to be taken into account, since their quality of life clearly improves after their stay. Here are some of them:

• It favors emotional bonds and social relationships with other peers in the same situation. This prevents the onset of episodes of depression, stress or anxiety; loneliness only causes sadness.
• It delays the evolution of diagnosed diseases and improves early diagnosis. In short, it monitors the state of health of the elderly.
• Previously prescribed pharmacological treatments are easily controlled.
• Increases self-esteem through activities, workshops and therapies.
• It favors the rest of family members and caregivers, especially from Monday to Friday.
• It improves the grandparents' hygiene habits, a complicated aspect in many homes due to logistical and space problems.

What services does a day center provide?

Adapted round-trip transportation

Many seniors have limited mobility and find it difficult to get around. Day centers often offer adapted transportation so that these problems are not a barrier to moving around freely.

Diet and medication management

The well-being of the elderly is one of the main objectives of the day care centers. For this reason, eating habits are reinforced, so that the nutritional level of the diets is in accordance with the needs of each elderly person. In addition, a strict control of medications is imposed, so that the guidelines are duly respected.

Rehabilitation

In day centers, rehabilitation programs are generally implemented so that our elderly can improve their physical and mental conditions, which will result in a better quality of life.

Extensive program of activities

In the day centers, the elderly can develop a wide variety of activities, depending on their abilities. These activities are adapted to the different levels of dependency and are usually classified into four groups: cognitive maintenance, occupational therapy, physical exercise and personal hobbies.

At SICOR Telecare El Corte Inglés we have the best professionals and services for the care of the elderly. Thanks to technology, to the different devices with which we provide the telecare service, either through our voice activator, the emergency button, the SOS smart watch or our App, we are with them in case of falls, disorientation, loneliness or any other unforeseen situation at home. Rapid communication between them and SICOR telecare El Corte Inglés will help to locate them in day centers when needed by their relatives.