What are Adult Day Services?

Adult Day Services programs offer a safe, positive, caring alternative to nursing home care for those who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing. These programs are designed to help people stay mentally and physically active, reduce isolation, improve their health, and prevent the decline of abilities. People typically attend a program two to five times per week. Program hours of operation vary from four to eight or more hours a day.

Those who can benefit from a supervised daytime program include:

• Adults with Alzheimer's or related dementia
• Adults who are in frail physical or mental health
• Adults who have a developmental disability

Services Provided

Services vary from program to program, but may include: therapeutic activities such as art, singing, ageappropriate games, health monitoring, social work, meals, dietary counseling, physical, occupation, and speech therapy. Programs help families with information and referral to other services as needed. All programs either provide or can assist with transportation arrangements.

Many services and activities are offered based on a thorough assessment and plan of care. Services provided on an individual basis include nursing supervision and assistance, medication monitoring, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social work.

Some programs focus on a specific population—those who share a similar cultural or ethnic background or adults with Alzheimer's or dementia, for example.

Who Pays?

Third party payors may include Medi-Cal, Veteran's Administration (in some areas), and selected long-term care insurance policies. Medicare does not pay for adult day services. Fees vary according to the type of program and services offered. Some programs offer "scholarships" or reduced rates based on ability to pay.

Types of Adult Day Care Services

In California, adult day care services are provided in two types of licensed facilities: adult day programs and adult day health care. In addition, each local area agency on aging designates at least one Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Center in its Planning and Service Area to provide specialized Alzheimer's care and community outreach and education.

♦ Adult Day Program (ADP)

ADP centers are licensed by the California Department of Social Services (DSS)—Community Care Licensing Division as community care facilities. These centers provide non-medical care to elderly persons and other adults with physical and/or cognitive impairments who require personal care services, protective supervision or assistance in activities of daily living on less than a 24-hour basis. Medi-Cal does not pay for these programs.

♦ Adult Day Health Care (ADHC)

ADHC is a licensed Medi-Cal certified health facility that treats the health and supportive needs of older adults with multiple, chronic conditions in a safe, homelike day setting. ADHCs are licensed by the Department of Health Services as health facilities.

The goal of ADH C is to prevent or delay placement into nursing homes or other more expensive care settings. This is done by improving and preserving each individual's physical and mental health, improving their quality of life. Older adults with chronic conditions are able to successfully live in the community while a benefit for the caregiver is regular respite from 24-hour caregiving responsibility.

Group activities provide companionship and social stimulation and are designed with the participants level of ability and interests in mind. A noon meal, transportation to and from the center, caregiver support groups, community outreach and education and other services may also be provided.

ADHC promotes optimal health and mental well-being for the participant, compliance with physician treatment plans, and support for the caregiver, in a supportive, enjoyable setting.

Much of this article is provided courtesy of The California Association for Adult Day Services (CAADS), the oldest and largest adult day services association in the nation. Contact them at 916-552-7400 or visit www.caads.org.

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