Day programs offer a break for a short period of time to both the cared and the caregiver to recuperate, and spend some time individually. Living at home for a long period with familiar members of family or friends, can cause shortcomings in social development. This is where centre-based activities can be helpful and provide support and opportunities to overcome those shortcomings.

Centre-based day respite is a space offered by disability care organisations to support disabled individuals with personalised and specially designed day programs. With the pandemic looming over our future for an uncertain amount of time, keeping the home environment productive and engaging can be difficult. While handling other several daily stressors, it can be a task to handle the development of a cared individual as well, with limited resources, energy and time. Hence, centre-based day programs are useful for a change in environment, and to build on socialisation, learning and working on general gro wth.

Day Programs are a range of activities that focus on varied kinds of learning. Such a program is designed keeping in mind the need to maintain social and physical development, while emphasising on their independence. These programs are included under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as well, so their funding covers all these activities leaving you with nothing to worry about.

The features of a Centre-based Day Program and their benefits

Group Learning

In this space, there are activities arranged to promote group interaction that extends beyond the social environment at home and thus boosts socialisation and communication skills. There are outdoor activities such as group excursions and outings that are conducted, like visiting a library.

Other activities include cooking, baking, and theatre which can promote improved group coordination and social cooperation. These activities can also instil a new learning and exposure to food, which may not be the same as at home. Learning to cook and bake can make one further independent, and add to their comprehension of the food and nutrients that they take in.

Sports and other physical activity

Participating in Sporting activities has been highly recommended for disability care by doctors for many years. They inculcate a spirit of being part of a community, independence, and is also a significant mood-booster. Research states that physical activity can gradually help in declining the progress of a chronic illness, and impacts the social and psychological aspects in a healthy manner.

Physical activity helps in maintaining an optimal level of health. An accessible day program can have activities such as playing Basketball and Soccer, that can boost group interaction immensely. Going to a gymnasium can also be useful to improve health in the long run and remain fit. This is also essential in training one’s muscles and strengthening general posture and bodily movement.

Independent Activities

An organisation may also conduct solitary activities, such as creating art and craft and gardening. These can be group activities as well, but pursued as activities alone they can be enriching and provide exposure to new hobbies, as well as a different understanding of the space around them. It can also be a confidence-building exercise, as it can guide one in problem-solving, learning through new experiences, and training in different spaces and situations. Activities like art can hone one’s creative expression and enable them to not only begin a hobby, but also find new outlets to let out their emotions. These are also challenging in their own way and can be good breaks from the otherwise mundane activities performed at home.

Find an Authorised NDIS provider to support you

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a funding opportunity provided by the Australian Government since 2020 to individuals with any kind of intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Eligible participants receive funding for any services or equipment that they may need to treat their disability.

This scheme is the beginning towards creating a better and more supportive space for the disabled community, and several disability care service providers now are connected with the NDIS funding so you can avail their services without any financial worries. Ruhil Care is also a registered NDIS provider so you can look at our program and decide whether it matches your goals and needs, and join us for a healthy break from the usual.

Day Programs are a great way to step out of one’s comfort zone and engage in challenging routines that not only helps one learn, but also explore one’s potential and broaden their horizons. Often repeating the same tasks daily can stop us from growing, and an expertly designed daycare program helps you avoid that. Not only are these beneficial in the short run if your caregiver needs to be away for a while, or if you need a break from your usual environment, but it also helps in the long run through exposure to various new activities and spaces that are otherwise not accessible in home surroundings.