Elderly Day Care Scholarships Help Defray Costs
Financial Aid Reduces Elder Care Expenses for Caregivers
Aug 14, 2009
Scholarship funding for the elderly puts a whole new perspective on financial assistance. Instead of college students applying for financial aid, adult children can apply for elder care monetary assistance for aging parents.
Scholarship funding comes from a variety of sources such as private individual donations or funds solicited by corporate programs such as Jacksonville (FL) Beach's, Friends of Hope Adult Day Care Corporation. The Friends of Hope Web site states on the home page (no author given) that the corporation exists, "... for the charitable purpose of soliciting grants/donations such that scholarships can be awarded to caregivers in need of financial assistance in acquiring adult day care services. The awarded scholarships may be used by these qualified clients at the adult day care center of their choice."
Day Care Options for the Elderly
There are two day care options for the elderly: in-home care and out-of-home care.
In-home care is more expensive because it's private; but if the senior has mobility issues or requires extensive help with personal care during the day, then in-home day care may be the best solution. Private insurance or Medicaid may cover the cost of a set number of hours per week if professional medical care is authorized; however, the time allowed may not be enough when the primary caregiver must work outside the home.
Out-of-home daycare for adults is not the equivalent of baby-sitting, as some people might think. Depending on the facility, programs may include exercise, crafts, music, recreation, field trips, guest speakers/programs, and more. Most elderly day care facilities offer some degree of medical assistance, and some combine therapy – such as music therapy, for example – as part of daily recreational activities.
Where to Search for an Elder Care Scholarship
Decide on the extent of care the loved one needs and which option is most suitable – in-home care or day care facility. Next, begin inquiring about scholarship funding for the elderly from all available sources in the area:
- Council on Aging
- Day care centers for the elderly
- Center for Independent Living
- Rehabilitation Center or Hospital
- Local businesses. Try pharmacies, home health care agencies, hospital supply businesses, caregiver agencies, to name a few possibilities.
- Corporate Industries. Inquire about scholarships from those who manufacture products specific to the aged.
- Churches
- Service organizations
- Department of Health and Human Resources
- Friends and Neighbors. A neighbor may be able to provide leads or specific information.
- Employer. One can check with his or her current employer to see if the company offers elder care assistance to employees.
Setting up a Scholarship Fund for Elder Care or Donating to an Existing Fund
Scholarship funds have limits, and many applicants must find new sources of funding once the terms of the scholarship are exhausted. Those persons who are willing to donate to an elder care scholarship fund may consider the following options:
- Set up a private foundation in memory of a loved one, offering a scholarship fund to help struggling workers manage elder care expenses.
- Employees can suggest to employers the idea of setting up a scholarship fund. The term scholarship sounds dignified and is bound to make business owners much more receptive to such an idea.
- Check out a local day care center for the elderly, and consult with the administrator about setting up a scholarship fund for elder care or donating to an existing fund.
- Contact specific sources (caregiver agencies, family-owned pharmacy, etc.) and offer to set up a scholarship fund.
More day care centers will be needed in the near future as seniors move into the advanced years of old age. The cost of day care for the elderly can range from $30 to $70 a day or more, depending on what services are needed.
Applying for a scholarship to help an elderly loved one meet the costs of day care expenses is a dignified means of securing financial help when it's needed most. Employees can encourage employers and other local places of business to set up a scholarship fund to assist with elder care. Those persons preferring to keep elderly loved ones in their care and work jobs outside the home deserve the peace of mind that comes from dependable elder care benefit programs.
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