The future programs of adult day care seems to be in the hands of the 50 states in America. As I write applications for our clients to start adult day care, it has come to my attention that the states are regulating what clients are being taken for adult day care centers in order to maintain home based care instead of institutionalization.
One such example, is adult day care centers in Boston, MA. There are three levels of care and three levels of reimbursement for those levels of care. The lowest level of care includes clients who could be at a senior center and need some help with ADL's. The second level of care provides medication management reminders, help getting in and out of chairs, socialization, care plans and help with ADL's and IADL's. The third level would be a client who may have just come from the hospital with a stroke or other debilitating illness where they need more attention and physical care and rehabilitation.
When adult day care began in this country, one just needed help with ADL's and be on medicaid to be a client. It was easier on the center and the center's main goal was to socialize the client and watch for any signs of progressive illness.
Adult day care has come a long way and is a vital part of communities every where as a continuum of care for living at home as long as possible.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Personal Experience
A funny thing happened to our family. After 17 years of starting and promoting adult day care we finally needed to have a relative utilize the services of an adult day care.
Our elderly aunt had a mild stroke, she lived alone and was ok'd for out patient therapy by the hospital and rehabilitation staff there. She could still dress herself, walk with some weakness in her legs and her hand was weak but all her faculties were still there. We searched for the closest adult day care to her home and found two. She went to each one and found one that she felt she could fit into and already knew some of the clients. She began the adult day care but the physical therapy wasn't enough so we paid extra for them to take her to another physical therapy facility. She had an aide at night for the first week for our peace of mind and so she could get stronger walking at night to the bathroom.
She thought of this as a temporary solution and we told her it was. But she's made friends there and the socialization is wonderful. She has found other people who have had strokes there and they have something to start a conversation with. We don't worry about her being alone in the home and falling or needing care. She a very independent woman. When her physical therapy is over I hope she continues to stay at the center if not every day but on some days. Adult day care has worked out as a perfect solution.
Our elderly aunt had a mild stroke, she lived alone and was ok'd for out patient therapy by the hospital and rehabilitation staff there. She could still dress herself, walk with some weakness in her legs and her hand was weak but all her faculties were still there. We searched for the closest adult day care to her home and found two. She went to each one and found one that she felt she could fit into and already knew some of the clients. She began the adult day care but the physical therapy wasn't enough so we paid extra for them to take her to another physical therapy facility. She had an aide at night for the first week for our peace of mind and so she could get stronger walking at night to the bathroom.
She thought of this as a temporary solution and we told her it was. But she's made friends there and the socialization is wonderful. She has found other people who have had strokes there and they have something to start a conversation with. We don't worry about her being alone in the home and falling or needing care. She a very independent woman. When her physical therapy is over I hope she continues to stay at the center if not every day but on some days. Adult day care has worked out as a perfect solution.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Adult Day Care Vs. Long-Term Care solutions
Adult day services act as an alternative or supplement to home care and an alternative to moving to assisted living or a nursing home to receive care. The centers enable continued community-based living for individuals with physical and cognitive limitations and provide respite for their caregivers.
In recent years, adult day services centers have played and increasing role in providing long-term care services, as evidenced by the rapid growth in programs from 2,000 in 1989 to over 4,600 in 2009.
While this increase is partially due to the aging of our society, much of this growth can beattributed to the benefits offered through adult day services. First, adult day services centers allow individuals toremain in their home settings rather than an institutional setting, which is what the majority of caregivers and care recipients desire.
Adult day services are also far less expensive than nursing home care. The national average daily rate for ADS was estimated at $67 compared to $198 for a semi-private room in a nursing home. (Note: the average daily rate for adult day services among respondents in this study was under $62). Finally, new evidence from case-controlled study suggests ADS can improve health-related quality of life for participants. In addition, ADSare effective in improving caregiver well-being and reducing burden, role overload, worry, anger, and depression.
In recent years, adult day services centers have played and increasing role in providing long-term care services, as evidenced by the rapid growth in programs from 2,000 in 1989 to over 4,600 in 2009.
While this increase is partially due to the aging of our society, much of this growth can beattributed to the benefits offered through adult day services. First, adult day services centers allow individuals toremain in their home settings rather than an institutional setting, which is what the majority of caregivers and care recipients desire.
Adult day services are also far less expensive than nursing home care. The national average daily rate for ADS was estimated at $67 compared to $198 for a semi-private room in a nursing home. (Note: the average daily rate for adult day services among respondents in this study was under $62). Finally, new evidence from case-controlled study suggests ADS can improve health-related quality of life for participants. In addition, ADSare effective in improving caregiver well-being and reducing burden, role overload, worry, anger, and depression.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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