Expanded Adult Day Program as a Transition Option From Hospital to Home

Expanded Adult Day Program as  a Transition Option From Hospital to Home
Katherine R. Jones1, Susan Tullai-McGuinness1,
Mary Dolansky1, Amany Farag2, Mary Jo Krivanek3,
and Laura Matthews4

Abstract
This article describes a pilot program for provision of postacute care (PAC) in an established adult day program. Demographic,
clinical, utilization, and satisfaction data were abstracted retrospectively from program records; postdischarge readmission and
emergency department visit data were obtained from the electronic health record. Comparative data were obtained from the
health records of patients who were offered but declined the adult day program. Between 2005 and 2008, 78 patients requiring
PAC were approached by the RN coordinator; 33 selected the adult day program, and 45 selected alternative destinations.
The majority of patients had a neurological diagnosis, most commonly stroke. Participants and their family caregivers were
highly satisfied with the program. The 30-day readmission rate for adult day program participants was significantly lower than
that for nonparticipants. An expanded adult day program may represent a viable Transitional Care Model for selected patients
and a feasible alternative to skilled nursing facility and home health care for PAC