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, psychological 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 approved 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
Programs
Adult day care
centers provide programs for adults in a community-based group setting.
These programs are generally planned to provide daytime social/health
services to adults who need supervised care outside the home. Some centers
may offer significantly more services.
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 and mental stimulation
- A program of stimulating
activities
- Meals and snacks with
provisions for special dietary needs
- Physical, occupational
or speech therapy in a non-medical environment
- Help with activities
of daily living with dignity
- Transportation for daily
needs
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, interview the staff
- The owner or sponsoring
agency identity
- Number of years in operation
- Capacity of the Adult
Day Care Center
- What is expected of
you?
- Schedule of activities
o Hours of operation
o Days of operation (usually Monday through Friday)
o Trips, if appropriate for seniors' profile
o Arts, crafts and other disguised therapy
- Nutritional meals prepared
on site or by a qualified outside source
- Menus that meet the
needs of seniors
- Can the center deal
with medical conditions like dementia or incontinence
- Compare prices for services
offered, if you have a choice
- Special charges for
meals or transportation
- Available financial
assistance
- Learn more about possible
insurance coverage on our Insurance
information page
- 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?
- Get some references
on the Adult Day Care Center
An elderly
care 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, non-institutional 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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