Design an Adult Day Care Facility
Families with special needs members require respite care, and challenged individuals need a chance to interact with other people and participate in challenging activities. An adult day care facility offers these opportunities to people who might not otherwise leave their homes. Day care facilities for adults can offer cultural activities, classes and employment opportunities, therapeutic courses and a nice, safe place to relax with friends. Opening an adult day care facility demands a great deal of planning and an understanding of special needs and elderly individuals.
Instructions
1. Decide which population you will serve. Adult day care facilities are generally geared toward senior citizens or mentally and emotionally challenged adults. Develop a clear mission statement that clarifies which population will receive services.
2. Develop a plan detailing the activities the facility will offer. Activities that take place in an adult day care include "personal care, health monitoring, proper nutrition, transportation, counseling, emergency services, and a broad range of social, leisure, physical and educational activities," according to the National Council on Aging. Determine how many of these services your facility can offer.
3. Design the operation of the facility to include areas where small and large group activities can take place simultaneously. This way, if an individual does not wish to participate in a large group activity, she can enjoy a quiet individual one.
4. Set up an exercise room for clients. Exercise equipment may include machines, such as a treadmill or stair machine, that do not demand a strenuous workout but allow clients to engage in light physical activity.
5. Include rooms for individual therapy in your design. Clients frequently receive physical, occupational or speech therapy at their adult day care center. Each therapist will need a room with the appropriate equipment. Include a special room for counseling clients as well.
6. Set up a pleasant dining area with kitchen facilities nearby. A dining area can serve as a nice spot for socializing, so create a friendly, accessible area with plenty of room for tables and chairs, free movement of serving trolleys and staff. The kitchen must meet all safety and health standards, so research the criteria that your state health department demands.
7. Install the best heating and cooling system you can afford for the adult day care facility. Wall-mounted air-conditioners/heaters may be the best choice because they are place high on the walls, lessening the risk of burns.
8. Include all necessary safety features, such as smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, fire extinguishers, handrails, a sprinkler system and an emergency call button. The local fire department will have more information on requirements for emergency exits and any specific local requirements. All areas should have full wheelchair accessibility.
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