What is a Day Centre?

Definition of a Day Centre:

A Day Centre is a service which is provided by Local Authorities, the NHS, or voluntary/private organisations. They are places where elderly people or individuals with learning/physical difficulties can go during the day to socialise with others in a similar situation and participate in activities.

Am I eligible for day care?

Your eligibility for receiving day care will be determined by an assessment, which you can request from your Local Council. The assessment will include the following:

• Needs Assessment - This will establish what your individual care and support requirements are, whether you are entitled to any support from your Local Authority. A support plan will be developed for you, which you will have the opportunity to agree to.
• Carers Assessment - These resources are accessible to all carers to evaluate what support might be available to help them care for both themselves and the person they care for.
• Financial Assessment - This will assess your financial situation and whether you are eligible for funding from your Local Authority to help pay for the day centre.
• Personal Budgets - Your personal budgets to fund your care & support will be discussed. It will be your decision whether you would like to manage your own care or have help from your Local Council.
• Direct Payments - It will be assessed whether your personal budget will allow you to fund your own care services directly.

What are the benefits of Day Centres?

Day centres are a saviour to many. People who are elderly, physically disabled or have learning difficulties often feel lonely & isolated due to their limitations, but day centres offer them a place to go where they can socialise with others in a similar situation to them, whilst receiving the support they need from volunteers and experienced healthcare staff.

For the elderly who are still living in their own homes, a day centre can provide them with support to maintain their independence. As people grow older, inevitably, they become less able than they once were, which can be difficult for them to accept. A day centre can provide them with a support network where they can ask for advice from others on how to remain as self-sufficient as possible in their old age.

People with learning difficulties often find tasks more demanding than most. Day centres can provide them with useful life skills, such as cooking and cleaning, which they can apply outside of the day centre. This can help them to feel able and significantly boost their confidence.

Elderly individuals or those with physical difficulties can greatly benefit from assistance. Day centres can provide great advice on equipment which can help people with daily tasks; for instance, a chair lift which will transport them up the stairs at home.

Day centres will often offer refreshments, and sometimes a meal to their clients. Who doesn't love a cup of tea and a biscuit!

As we all know, exercising is a key component of living a healthy lifestyle. To promote healthy living, some day centres may offer gentle exercise to their clients who are able to partake. This could be a nice short walk around the area or even an exercise class. Especially for the elderly, regular exercise can greatly help them maintain their mobility.

To ensure that everyone enjoys their time at the day centre, many organise activities for their clients, including arts and crafts, entertainment and sometimes outings. They will strive to offer a diverse range of activities to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. If there's a particular activity you would like to do, don't be shy to suggest it to the day centre team!

How do I find a day centre near me?

Day centre referrals can be made by several people, including the individual themselves, a Carer, friend, family member, Social Worker, Community Nurse, or any other professional. The person who makes the referral will need to contact the chosen day centre to speak with the Manager and arrange an assessment of the person's needs.

Some care homes also offer a day care service. As part of TrustedCare's service, we can help you find care homes close to you that offer day care. Our team of Care Advisers will be more than happy to put you in touch with these homes to get the ball rolling on your or a loved one's day care. We are contactable via phone, email or live chat 7 days a week.

What is the cost of day care?

Day centres' costs, on average, start from £40 per day, but they vary significantly from one organisation to another. You can confirm the cost with your selected day centre.

Please do bear in mind that the day centres arranged transport may incur an additional charge.

Day centres can significantly improve the quality of life for those who are ageing, have learning difficulties, or physical disabilities. The social environment and participation in activities can release endorphins (happy feelings!) and prevent feelings of isolation.