ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE (ADHC)--is a licensed community-based day program providing a variety of health, therapeutic, and social services designed to serve the specialized needs of those at risk of being placed in a nursing home. The primary objectives are:

1. to restore or maintain optimal capacity for self-care to frail elderly persons and other physically or mentally impaired adults;

    

2. to delay or prevent inappropriate or personally undesirable institutionalization.

The program stresses partnership with the participant, the family, the physician, and the community in working toward maintaining personal independence. In some situations, individuals already institutionalized may be placed back in the community with ADHC assistance and support services. Participants may attend up to five days a week.

Individual Care Plans
Each ADHC center has a multidisciplinary team of health professionals who conduct a comprehensive assessment of each potential participant to determine which ADHC services fulfill the individual's specific health and social needs. This individualized plan of care may include any of the following:

• medical services by a personal or staff physician emphasizing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and continuity of care;
   

• nursing services including assistance in bathing, toileting, grooming, administration and monitoring of medication, and nursing care;
   

• physical therapy;
   

• occupational therapy;
   

• speech therapy;
   

• transportation to and from center;
   

• hot meal and nutritional counseling--at least one meal per day that provides one-third of daily nutritional needs with special diets as required;
   

• psychiatric and psychological services;
   

• social services--include group or individual discussion of problems, coordination with family or other community agencies, counseling, and referral to available community resources;
   

• recreation and social activities;
   

• emergency physician, hospital, and ambulance services.

Some centers offer optional services such as podiatry or dentistry. Participation in group activities is encouraged as the social environment itself is therapeutic. By providing intellectual stimulation and emotional satisfaction, group activities lead to a renewed interest in life.

Eligibility and Fees
ADHC centers accept adults who need individualized medical and/or psychological treatment but who are not bedridden. Persons in walkers, wheelchairs, and those who require supervision and help with medications are welcome. Eligibility criteria are:

• a medical condition that requires treatment or rehabilitative services prescribed by a physician;
   

• mental or physical impairments that handicap daily living activities but are not of such a serious nature as to require 24-hour institutional care;
   

• reasonable expectation that preventative service will maintain or improve the present level of functioning; and
   

• high potential for further deterioration and probable institutionalization if adult day healthcare were not available.

ADHC services are reimbursed by Medi-Cal (in California), Medicaid, or through private payment. Most centers have a sliding fee scale based on private participant's ability to pay.

ALZHEIMER'S DAY CARE CENTER--In California (check with your state AoA) these centers provide services that support the physical and psychosocial needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Services may vary from center to center but most provide:

• counseling, information, and referral
   

• day care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders
   

• respite care for families who care for these persons at home
   

• social and support services to family and caregivers
   

• training opportunities for persons caring for these persons
   

• public information and training for professionals, caregivers, and family members
   

• resource to family support groups
   

• recreational and social activities
   

• functional assessments

Eligibility--Patients in the moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, whose care needs and behavioral problems make it difficult for them to participate in other care programs, are eligible to participate.