Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 27, 2021 American Legion announces Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony by Jim Miller How to Choose an Adult Day Care Services Provider Dear Savvy Senior, Can you off er any tips on choosing a good adult day care provider for an elderly parent? My 81-year-old father, who just moved in with me, has dementia and needs attention during the day while I’m at work. Need Assistance Dear Need, Adult day care services can be a great option for caregivers who work, or for those who just need a break during the day. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you fi nd and choose one. Adult Day Care The business of adult day care services has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the National Adult Day Services Association, there are upwards of 4,600 adult day centers across the U.S., the result of a 35 percent increase since 2002. Those centers provide services to more than 260,000 participants and family caregivers, which is a whopping 63 percent increase over the last two decades. As the name implies, adult day care provides care for elderly seniors who cannot care for themselves at home. While services will vary from center to center, they typically provide personal care, meals and snacks, various activities and social interaction in a safe supportive environment. Additionally, many centers also provide health services such as medication management, various therapies, exercise and transportation to and from the facility. Adult day care centers generally operate programs during normal business hours five days a week. However, some centers may off er services in the evenings and on weekends, too. Costs for care will vary as well, usually between $25 to more than $100 per day (the national average is $75/day), depending on where you live. Unfortunately, in most cases original Medicare does not pay for adult day care, but some Medicare Advantage plans, and many long-term care insurance policies do. But most seniors or their families pay for care out-of-pocket. If your dad is lower income and can’t afford this, state Medicaid programs provide fi nancial assistance if he meets eligibility requirements, and some states have PACE programs that provide fi nancial aid. Contact your state Medicaid offi ce (see Medicaid.gov) for more information. The VA even provides adult day care to eligible veterans enrolled in their Medical Benefi ts Package. See VA.gov/geriatrics to learn more. How to Choose Your fi rst step in shopping for an adult day center is to determine the kinds of services your dad needs, and you need as a caregiver. After you do that, here are some tips to help you locate and choose a good provider. Start by contacting your Area Agency on Aging (call 800677-1116 to get your local number) to get referrals to adult day service programs in your area. You can also search the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) database at NADSA.org/locator. Once you have a list of a few centers, call them to fi nd out their eligibility criteria, if they off er the types of services your dad needs, if they are accepting new clients, their hours of operation, if they’re licensed and/or registered with a state agency (this is not required in all states) and what they charge. After you identify a few good centers, go in for a visit. Find out about the staffi ng ratio (at least one staff member for every six participants is recommended) and what kind of training they have. While you’re there, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem friendly and knowledgeable? Also be sure to taste the food and consider making an unannounced visit. To help you rate your visit, the NADSA offers a helpful checklist of questions to ask at NADSA.org – click on “Site Visit Checklist” under the “For Caregivers” tab. Then, after your visit, be sure to check their references. Get names and phone numbers of at least two or three families who have used the center you are considering and call them. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. August 20 & August 27, 2021 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Nicely maintained 6 room Ranch/ Bungalow style home offers 3 bedrooms, spacious kitchen with corian counter tops, peninsula for entertaining, updated bathroom, gleaming up attic, desirable, heated sunroom, rear mudroom leading to level yard with patio area and vinyl View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. P ost 69 Malden American Legion will conduct its Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony on September 18. The Post will be joined by Post 19 from Somerville for this ceremony. The Post will perform the ritual required for disposing of American fl ags at its post. All are welcome. We are requesting that if you have ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 on the petition of Permit Advisors on behalf of property owner, Georgetown Capital Malden, LLC (Permit Application # CMID 0376072021) seeking a special permit under Section 12.12.030 of Chapter 12, Revised Ordinances of 2020 as Amended of the City of Malden, to allow medical center use of property in the Neighborhood Business zoning district, namely, a medical clinic by Village Medical, to occupy approximately 3,131 SF of the existing building, with continued current occupancy of 10,750 SF of the existing building for retail sales with accessory drive-thru by Walgreen’s, at the property known as and numbered 215 Beach Street, Malden and by Malden City Assessor’s Parcel ID# 169 535 513. Petition and plans are available for public review on the City website at https://permits.cityofmalden.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService By: Kenneth Antonucci, Clerk August 20 & August 27, 2021 ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 on the petition of Iwano Investments LLC (Permit Application # CMID 038087-2021) seeking a special permit under Section 12.28.010(D) of Chapter 12, Revised Ordinances of 2020 as Amended, of the City of Malden, to alter, structurally change, extend and change use of a preexisting nonconforming property in the Residence A zoning district, namely, to demolish the existing one-story building, to construct additions to the existing 2 ½-story dwelling, to expand the first, second and third floors and to change use from a three-family dwelling to a multifamily dwelling, up to three stories, with five units, at the property known as and numbered, 272-274 Cross Street, Malden and by Malden City Assessor’s Parcel ID# 084-405-527. Petition and plans are available for public review on the City website at https://permits.cityofmalden.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService By: Kenneth Antonucci, Clerk worn or unserviceable fl ags to bring them to our Post at 75 Meridian St. in Malden. For additional information, please call 781-324-9570.
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