For families such as Bill and Rita Breeden, adult day care has emerged as a solution to balance the need for around-the-clock care and the desire to keep loved ones at home.
When Bill’s wife, Rita, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2020, his world was flipped upside down. He wanted to give Rita the care and attention she needed, but he was also balancing a full-time job and wasn’t ready to put her in a nursing home. “When you realize your loved one can’t be alone, as a caregiver, your whole life comes to a standstill. I was in full panic mode,” Bill recalls. “Our friends and family swooped in and did what they could, but they all have lives. Daycare was a lifesaver. It allowed me to keep my job, and it kept her out of a memory care home.”
According to studies, 70 percent of people are unwilling to live in a nursing home or facility. Alternative options, such as St. Elizabeth’s Adult Day Care Centers, have emerged as a solution for individuals and families in St. Louis.
Founded in 1981, the nonprofit is the first and largest adult day program in the St. Louis region. It serves adults ages 18 and older. As the need for senior care services continues to grow, St. Elizabeth’s stands out for its commitment to enhancing the lives of both participants and their families.
“Adult day care is a well-kept secret from working caregivers,” says St. Elizabeth’s executive director Regina Marsh. “The needs are real and evolving in the range of services that our participants and caregivers need. We pioneered the adult day care center concept in St. Louis in 1981, putting us at the forefront of meeting community needs. Our organization intends to maintain that position with a clear vision and delivery of programming to meet future needs.”
Growing Demand
In the next two decades, there is a projected 700 percent growth in the adult day care industry, with an estimated 18 million middle-income boomers expected to need care but likely unable to pay for it. Similarly, finding caregivers outside of the family has also become more difficult.
Adult day cares provide working families with more affordable and time-appropriate care, so they can keep loved ones at home. St. Elizabeth’s currently has four accessible locations across the metro area, in St. Louis, Arnold, Florissant, and Ste. Genevive. The nonprofit also hopes to open a fifth site in 2025 with a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) center, which would expand beyond the day-habilitation model to a medical model.
A Haven of Compassionate Care
St. Elizabeth’s Adult Day Care offers a wide range of services designed to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of its participants, all while providing a relatively affordable option for families. From personalized care plans to engaging activities, the center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for adults who require daytime supervision and care. St. Elizabeth’s even offers door-to-door transportation from participants’ homes to the centers and back, as well as nourishing daily meals crafted by the center’s nutritionist and executive chef.
Another highlight for many participants is the center’s diverse social activities, designed to promote individual success while enhancing morale and dignity. The centers provide a variety of stimulating activities, including visits from special guests, enriching field trips, music programs, interactive games, brain teasers, creative crafts, and invigorating exercise sessions.
Sandra Butler has been bringing her son, Trent, who is autistic and non-verbal, to St. Elizabeth’s Adult Day Care Centers for the past seven years. The center provides a warm, welcoming environment, where Trent feels comfortable and can engage in activities that he enjoys, such as music, dance, and art. “I wanted Trent to be able to have a setting where he felt comfortable in,” says Butler. “Autistic people usually echo things from their environment, and Trent is a very soft-hearted person, so it was very important to find a good environment.”
Trent goes to St. Elizabeth’s from Monday through Friday, while Butler is at work. He is able to enjoy time outside house and socializing. “He’s getting more out of life than I can give him just as one person,” Butler says. “All of the love, care, and guidance he gets at St. Elizabeth’s makes a big difference. There aren’t too many places where I can feel comfortable leaving him and going on with my day, but here I know he’s enjoying his time.”
A Solution for Caregivers
For many families, adult day care centers such as St. Elizabeth’s are a vital resource that allows them to balance their own responsibilities with the needs of aging loved ones. Caring for an elderly parent or relative can be emotionally and physically demanding, and adult day care services provide much-needed respite for caregivers.
“Our centers allow working families, many in the ‘sandwich generation’ role, to continue to work with peace of mind,” Marsh says.
Cheryl Steed has taken on the role of caregiver before and did once again when her husband, Carlton, had a stroke and needed care. Because Carlton was slated to make a significant recovery over time, Veterans Affairs recommended St. Elizabeth’s. “I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to have that peace of mind,” says Steed. “I compare it to when you’re on an airplane and they tell you to put your mask on first. It’s just like that. When you have that peace of mind, you can definitely become a better caregiver to your loved one.”
Bill Breeden also says he noticed his wife Rita’s condition and mood improved greatly after she enrolled in daycare. The center also helped Bill learn how to better care for Rita at home. “Managing a person with dementia requires a lot of different tools, coping mechanisms, and methods, and daycare is probably the best tool in the toolbox,” Bill says. “Every year, I entertain the idea of placing her in a full-time memory care home, but the combination of daycare and her coming home and being with me in the evening, it’s working. I really think daycare is the answer for people whose loved ones don’t need 24/7 care, and you can still take care of them in the evening.”
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of St. Elizabeth’s Adult Day Care Centers. To learn more, visit seadcc.com.
