HaroldUrman
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Jul 8, 2010, 2:24 PM
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Adult Day Services Can Help Seniors and Their Caregivers
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Adult day service centers provide a coordinated program of professional and supportive services for adults in a group setting. Services are designed to provide social and some health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home. They also provide caregivers with respite from the demanding caregiving responsibilities.
Adult day centers generally operate during normal business hours five days a week, but some programs offer evening and weekend services.
Although facilities may differ in terms of features, the following services are often provided by most adult day centers:
Social activities—interaction with other participants in planned activities appropriate for their conditions
Transportation—door-to-door service
Meals and snacks—participants are provided with meals and snacks, and those with special dietary needs are offered special meals
Personal care—help with toileting, grooming, eating and other personal activities of daily living
Therapeutic activities—exercise and mental interaction for all participants.
In general, there are three types of adult day centers: 1) social, which provides meals, recreation and some health-related services; 2) medical/health, which provides social activities as well as more intensive health and therapeutic services; and 3) specialized, which provide services only to specific participants, such as those with diagnosed dementias or developmental disabilities. The type of center that is best usually depends on the care needed.
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Program Partners in Caregiving study, there are currently 3,407 adult day centers nationally, serving approximately 150,000 participants each day. The capacity of adult day services range from 2 to 450 participants, with an average capacity of 43 participants. Based on the results of the MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services, almost all centers provide services for those with Alzheimer’s disease (95%), assist participants with incontinence (86%), have a nurse on staff (84%), dispense medications (48%), and provide rehabilitation services (43%).
Additional findings from the MetLife survey include:
. Nearly 78 percent of adult day centers are operated on a nonprofit or public basis and the remaining 22 percent are for profit.
. 70 percent of adult day centers are affiliated with larger organizations such as home care, skilled nursing facilities, medical centers, or multi-purpose senior organizations.
. The average age of the adult day center participant is 72, and two-thirds of all adult day center participants are women.
. Fifty-two percent of the adult day center participants have some cognitive impairment.
. Daily fees for adult day services vary depending upon the services provided. The national average rate for adult day centers is $64 per day compared to an average rate of $20 per hour for a home health aide.
Results from the Vital Research database of satisfaction with adult day services, indicate that participant overall satisfaction is 91 percent, and 97 percent enjoy coming to the adult day center. In addition, 97 percent of participants would recommend the adult day center to a friend.
Adult day service participants also agree that they get a variety of foods (94%), there are enough things to do at the center (95%), there are things they like to do (92%), and they have fun at the center (93%).
According to Careguide@Home (www.careguideathome.com), caregivers may feel reluctant to use adult day care services because they seem unfamiliar, or because a loved one is hesitant to try something new. Yet, findings from the Vital Research database on satisfaction with adult day program indicate that participants benefit from socializing with others and receiving needed care services. In addition, caregivers benefit by getting a much needed break from the physical demands and stress of providing round-the-clock care.
When should you consider an adult day center? According to ElderCare Online (www.helpguide.org/elder/adult_day_care_centers.htm), you should seriously consider using adult day services when a senior:
. can no longer structure his or her own daily activities
. is isolated and desires companionship
. can't be safely left alone at home
. lives with someone who works outside the home or who is frequently away from home for other reasons
Finally, how do you find the right center? The National Adult Day Services Association (www.nasda.com) recommends you start by asking what specific services do both the elder adult and caregiver most need. For the participant, are social activities primary? Assistance with walking, eating or medications? Mental stimulation? Exercise? As a caregiver, do you need support? Free time? Help with transportation? Answering these questions will help you determine which of the three main types of adult day care centers (social, health-focused, and Alzheimer's/dementia oriented) will best serve you.
Once you have located centers in your area, contact them and ask the following NADSA recommended questions:
. Who owns or sponsors the agency?
. How long has it been operating?
. Is it licensed or certified? (If required in your state)
. What are the days and hours of operation?
. Is transportation to and from the center provided?
. Which conditions are accepted (e.g., memory loss, limited mobility, incontinence)?
. What are the staff's credentials, and what is the ratio of staff to participants?
. What activities are offered? Are there a variety of individual and group programs?
. Are meals and snacks included? Are special diets accommodated?
Finally, spend a day or several days so that you can get a "feel" for the people and environment.
References:
National Study of Adult Day Services, 2001-2002. Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Partners in Caregiving: The Adult Day Services Program, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 2002.
The MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs, MetLife Mature Market Institute®, in conjunction with LifePlans,Inc. www.maturemarketinstitute.com, September 2008.
Harold N. Urman, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist and co-founder of Vital Research, a consulting firm specializing in research and evaluation. Established in 1982 and based in Los Angeles, Vital Research is a national research and consulting firm with expertise in senior living services satisfaction measurement.
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(This post was edited by HaroldUrman on Jul 9, 2010, 8:35 AM)
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