Distinguishing Features
Between Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health Care Centers
There
are three types of Senior Day Care. The lines between may overlap
in practice. In shopping for a elderly care facility, pre-determine
(perhaps with the help of a professional, and specially trained social
worker, what are the needs of the senior and the goals of the caregiver.
The three types of adult
or senior day care can be broken down to meet the need for:
- Social interaction in a safe environment.
- Medical care, therapy and socialization.
- Alzheimer's or dementia care with
all aspects of related attention.
The inclusion of "health"
in the type of day care a center provides should indicate that they
provide elements of health care, and are not just a model for socialization
and baby-sitting of seniors. The designation of Adult Day Health Care
(ADHC) in many states is reserved for those centers that have been licensed
by their state to provide health and medical-related care, similar to
what might be provided by a state licensed assisted living community
or by a state licensed nursing home. A senior or adult day care center
that is not an ADHC, in most states will not be licensed to include,
or have available on site, psycological evaluations, licensed social
workers, administration of medications, assistance with bathing and
hair washing, dressing of wounds and assistance with feeding. Their
costs will also not be reimbursed by Medicaid (Medical in California).
Most states require a licensing
process for ADHC and a state licensing process to be appoved for Medicare
reimbursement and/or Medicaid (Medical in California)reimbursement.
In some states the legislature has recognized the cost savings between
supporting an indigent person in assisted living at $2,500 - $5,000
per month or in a nursing home at $3,500 -$6,000 per month and supporting
them in an ADHC where they return home each night to live with family.
Medicare does
not cover day care costs, but in a licensed medical or Alzheimer's
environment Medicaid may pay all of the costs if the senior qualifies
financially. Some day care centers offer need-based scholarships.
Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of day
care costs when registered, licensed medical people are involved with
the care. Long Term Care Insurance policies can cover day care.
There are limited spaces
for Medicaid provided ADHC, as there are limited spaces for Adult Day
Care as a social model, so waiting lists may prevail in both urban and
suburban settings.
Adult day care and adult
day health care offers seniors:
- The chance to live with family
and not be a 24 hour burden
- Opportunities for social interaction
with peers
- A program of stimulating activities
- Physical, occupational or speech
therapy in a non-medical environment
- Help with activities of daily living
with dignity
When shopping for an adult
day care center for elderly care, look for:
- Round trip transportation
- Facilities for bathing and hair
washing
- Licensing for administering medicine
and medical procedures
- Professional qualifications of staff
- Schedule of activities
- Trips, if appropriate for seniors'
profile
- Arts, crafts and other disguised
therapy
- Nutritional meals prepared on site
or by a qualified outside source
- Menus that meet the needs of seniors
- Compare prices for services offered,
if you have a choice
- Compare prices with in home services
but be aware:
- Group environments are more
stimulating
- We are all social beings
- A full activity schedule provides
more stimulus
- A good adult day care center
responds quickly to changing needs
- Does the adult day care center also
provide respite care.
A elderly cade pamphlet
resulting from the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging Report,
based on allowed deductions on income tax filing is available by calling
800.829.3676 and asking for IRS publication covering dependent care.
"If
a dependent spends at least 8 hours a day living in your home, expenditures
made for out of home, noninstitutional care are eligible for Dependent
Care Tax Credits." The Dependent Care Center must be in compliance with
all state and local regulations for expenditures to qualify.
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