Article by Marjorie Burris, Neighborhood and Community Services
(Posted 2023 July)
Fairfax County’s Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) enables adults with dementia and other physical impairments and intellectual disabilities live their best lives – at home, with their families.
ADHC, which has locations in Herndon, McLean, Alexandria and Mount Vernon, focuses on participants’ intellectual, physical and social needs to help them thrive via activities and games that engage critical thinking and promote memory care. The program also works to promote mobility, balance, and strength training through an exercise and falls prevention program. The county offers these services on a sliding fee scale, and in some cases provides scholarships to help make it an affordable option for families. Transportation is available.
Participants are 18 years and older with cognitive and physical impairments. While some participants are as young as in their 30s, the average age trends to the mid-80s, with about 85 percent of participants having some form of dementia. Participants have varied backgrounds and experiences and reflect the diversity of Fairfax County.
The majority of program participants find out about ADHC programming online or from Fairfax County Senior Centers. Senior Centers will recommend that participants move to ADHC programs once they need that next level of care and can no longer participate in Senior Center programming independently.
It is Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) mission to promote the well-being of individuals, families and communities by:
- providing a variety of recreational, educational and developmental programs and services,
- facilitating community engagement to identify areas of need and enhance countywide capacity for serving those needs, and
- connecting residents with a continuum of county- and community-based resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities.
ADHC has been working for more than 35 years to meet that mission. If you have an older adult in your life who would benefit from some conversation, light exercise or mental engagement, please call 571-585-2790.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).