Shakti Adult Day Care

Shakti Adult Day Care, whose name means "symbol of strength," is an adult medical day care center in South Plainfield, New Jersey. It is open to adults of all cultures, but the 6,000 sq. ft. center is designed around South Asian culture and serves family-style Indian meals. It serves adults 18 and older with functional or cognitive impairments who need support to keep living at home, and it says it specializes in care for people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Clients get a personalized care plan, and staff include registered nurses, licensed social workers, a registered dietitian and activity professionals. It is licensed in New Jersey as an Adult Day Health Services Facility for up to 80 participants.

Registered nurses do assessments, treatments, medication administration, and blood pressure and glucose monitoring. A medical consultant coordinates care with each client's own doctor. A registered dietitian guides two hot catered Indian meals a day plus snacks. Licensed social workers offer counseling and help with Medicaid, food stamps and housing, and personal care assistants help with toileting, transfers, walking and grooming. Affiliated therapists provide physical therapy, and prescriptions are filled by a local pharmacy and delivered to the center daily. Activities include exercise, games, parties, arts and crafts, movies, clubs, books, trips and programs designed for Indian seniors.

The center is at 902 Oak Tree Rd, South Plainfield, NJ 07080. It serves Middlesex, Union and Somerset Counties and parts of Hudson and Essex Counties, with its own vans providing door-to-door rides that fit walkers and wheelchairs, plus rides to medical appointments. Medicaid clients pay nothing for services, meals or transportation, and private-pay clients get a single fee schedule. The NJ Department of Health must approve medical eligibility (prior authorization), but you can attend while the decision is pending. Call (732) 318-8261 to start admission and set up a visit.