ROCKPORT — Are you a caregiver who needs to work but feels uncomfortable leaving your adult loved one home? Do you have someone in your family who would benefit from being with others during the day? Do you see the need for an adult day care program in Rockland?

As family members attempt to meet the health, financial, and social needs of an older loved one, the stress and strains they experience can result in physical and emotional exhaustion. Adult day care programs are community-based and designed to meet the needs of functionally and cognitively impaired adults and providing respite for caregivers. They are structured, affordable, and comprehensive programs that provide a variety of social and support services including health care, but are not 24-hour care programs.

Spectrum Generations, along with other organizations involved in offering a continuum of care in the Midcoast, seeks opinions. Plan to attend a question-and-answer session on the option of adult day care in the Midcoast on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 3 to 6 p.m. at Spectrum Generations, Knox Community Center, 61 Park St., in Rockland.

Susan Garascia, RN, Spectrum Generations’ community services administrator, manages the adult day programs in Belfast, Hallowell, Skowhegan and Waterville and will be available for discussion and to answer questions. Contact Garascia at 207-620-1660 or sgarascia@spectrumgenerations.org.

An adult day care program serves those over 60 years of age with dementia or a disability and adults with disabilities over 19 years of age. An adult day care program can help keep people socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally stimulated, allowing them to remain in their communities. The program promotes active lifestyles through a wide variety of daily activities centered on community resources.

The program offers many levels of activities, assists with daily living needs, and medication assistance. Such programs are affordable and delay the need for costly long-term care while allowing a person to remain at home as long as possible.

Spectrum Generations is central Maine's Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center.