Chapter 8

 

Adult Day Services: Information and Resources

 

 

Overview of Adult Day Services

Adult day services are community-based group programs designed to provide social, and in some cases, health services, to adults who need supervised care in a safe place during the day. In addition to serving an older adult or person with disabilities, adult day services afford caregivers a break from their demanding responsibilities.

 

Adult day centers typically operate during normal business hours, five days a week. A few programs offer services in the evenings and on weekends. Although each center may differ in terms of features, services offered by most adult day centers include:

• Social activities, often defined as interaction with other participants in planned activities appropriate for their age and/or abilities.

• Personal care that entails help with activities of daily living, such as going to the toilet, walking, and feeding oneself.

• Therapeutic activities such as exercise and mental interaction for all participants.

• Meals and snacks.

In general, there are three types of adult day centers:

1. Social adult day centers that provide meals, recreation and some personal care services.

2. Medical/health adult day centers that provide more intensive health and therapeutic services, such as some nursing and physical therapy, in addition to social activities.

3. Specialized adult day centers that only serve specific care recipients, such as those with diagnosed dementias or developmental disabilities.

 

Regulations of Adult Day Services

There are no state licensing requirements for adult day services, nor is there any oversight for adult day service programs that serve only clients who pay out of their own pockets.

 

Some adult day services centers have chosen to serve clients whose care is paid for by the Medicaid Waiver or the CHOICE programs. If this is the case, the center must meet “Provision and Certification Standards” set by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). To learn what these standards are, go to: Adult Day Service Provider Packet.

Client Rights

Because adult day services are not regulated in Indiana, there are no specific rights afforded to adult day services' clients. Check any contract or agreement you have with the center to see what rights your loved one has.

 

If your loved one’s care is funded through Medicaid Waiver or CHOICE, his or her rights include:

• Privacy.

• Confidentiality of records.

• Freedom from neglect.

• Freedom from sexual, physical, emotional, financial and mental abuse.

• Freedom from physical or chemical restraints used for the purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the participant’s medical symptoms.

Listing of Adult Day Services Centers

The Indiana Association of Adult Day Services provides a list of centers throughout the state that are members of their association. To access their list, go to: www.iaads.net/about.htm. Click on the Find A Center Button.

To obtain a list of Adult Day Centers in the region where your loved one lives, contact the Area Agency on Aging.

 

Resources

 

Checklists and Guides

For Choosing an Adult Day Services Center

National Adult Day Services Association: Choosing A Center

Adult Day Care Checklist from Assist Guide Information Services (AGIS) at agis.com

The Met Life Mature Market Institute 2010 Study of Adult Day Services.

From Helpguide.org: A Discussion of Adult Day Centers and Finding the Best Center for your Loved One

 

 

Getting Good Care: Chapter 6

 

Addressing Problems: Chapter 12

 

Appeals Process: See end of Chapter 7