Day Centers
Since 1978, Resources for Seniors’ day centers for dependent adults, called Total Life Centers or TLCs, have served Wake County residents by providing an alternative for families who want to keep their older relatives in the community but may not be able to provide 24-hour care.
These adult day programs offer a break for full-time family caregivers or fill in the gap for family members who both work and care for a loved one. TLCs offer warm, individualized, safe care settings that support your loved one’s well-being at a significantly lower cost than one-on-one home care.
Total Life Center Hours
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Morning extended hours: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Afternoon extended hours: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Daybreak: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
What to Expect from Day Centers
Total Life Centers offer a full day of socialization, safety, and structured activities designed for the individual needs of the participants at the center. For example, their schedule may include:
- Socialization
- Breakfast
- Current events (and reality orientation)
- Exercise (chair aerobics)
- Special activity/total life skills
- Lunch
- Rest and relaxation/small group interaction
- Exercise (physical games)
- Special activity
- Snack
- Special activity/total life skills
- Small group and individual activities
Types of Day Programs
North Carolina certifies centers under two categories: Social model and social/health model.
The Garner location is a social model center. East Wake, Cary-Bond Park, and Raleigh are combination centers.
The primary difference between the two models is the presence of a nurse on staff at the combination centers. The nurse may administer medications, provide wound care and tracheotomy care, perform tube feedings, implement incontinence training and maintenance, and administer oxygen. The nurse will also be a referral source for you and may act as a liaison between your loved one and their doctor.
At the TLC combination model centers, at least 25% of the participants are high functioning. With this mixture of different people and functioning levels, you may choose the center that is best for your loved one without the worry that they may not fit in.
Most importantly, all TLCs have trained, caring staff who can offer you and your loved one the support you both need to stay an active part of each other’s lives.
Getting Started
Our staff members are happy to talk with you about how the TLCs can meet your loved one’s care needs. If you know which center you are interested in, contact that center directly to speak with a staff member or arrange a tour. If you have general questions, call any center or our Information Department at 919-713-1556.
