Where to Go After Retirement?

Suppose you are not available during the daytime to care for your elderly parent/s. You could look at the idea of adult day care as a solution which will also give your parents the pleasure of interaction.

"Adult Care" - this phrase alone could cause upset because it somewhat reinforces the picture of an adult parent reverting to an infant status where they need care like an infant does. So it is a good idea that if possible you do not make reference to this facility as 'adult day care'. This will immediately make your parents feel they are being conveniently "put away" in a place where they will not get in the way and be a nuisance. This is definitely not the idea you want to convey to them

However a number of seniors are quite open to visiting a church program or senior citizen center wherever the same purpose is served. The ideal way to make a decision is for you to take your parents along with you to visit the various adult day care facilities available in your vicinity so the choice can be made together. For this purpose it might be best to prepare a list of relevant question you may want to ask before deciding if you would like to have your parents spend time in that place. Those questions might include:

Does the facility provide transportation to assisted care centers in the town? Is it available all day?
[If transport is available your parents will not "get stuck" once they have got there and need to return].

Is qualified medical attention available for any contingency?

How many regulars do they have on a normal day?
[Too few could imply a poor service while too many could mean your parents will not get adequate attention].

For an all day stay would food and beverage be provided? Is the catering able to take into consideration dietary restrictions given by their doctor for issues such as diabetes?

What are their charges?

A large part of having your parents willing to attend would depend on the activities offered. If during football season there is a place in the center where your elderly dad can watch and cheer for a game, or watch any other sport, is a better option than watching at home alone.

If the center has gender specific activities for visitors, and also a range that can be shared by all, such as puzzles and card games, it would be a lively and interesting place for your parents to spend their day. If you yourself spend time there you will be able to asses the friendliness, warmth and welcome given by the staff there as well as the atmosphere to know if your parents will be comfortable and happy or out of place and lonely.