Adult day health services can be a valuable support for families and their elders. Caregivers may use it for respite or as a safe and secure environment for a senior during working hours. Elders also benefit from adult day services, including the opportunity to socialize and specialized programming for those with dementia or other care requirements.

In many cases, an elder presumes that an adult day health program is not for them and refuses the idea. If you can convince him or her to try it for a few days or a week, however, the elder often becomes comfortable there, find peers he or she can relate to, and begins to look forward to attending.

Adult day health is a planned program that includes a variety of health, social, and supportive services in a safe, protective environment during the daytime hours. It is a licensed, community-based program for seniors who need supportive services but do not require around-the-clock professional supervision and care. Seniors in adult day health programs may be physically, mentally, or functionally impaired, or they may simply need companionship or supervision during part of the day. The programs are structured and designed, usually through a personal care plan, to cover all the daily individual needs of each participant.

Adult day centers generally operate programs during normal business hours, though some programs also offer services in the evenings and on weekends. Most adult day health centers are private, though some exist as part of hospitals or senior centers.

There are three types of adult day services:

Fees may range from $25 per day to $70 per day. Many facilities provide services with a sliding fee scale, meaning that families pay a fee based on their income. Be clear what the fee includes. For example, many programs provide transportation, though some may charge extra for this service.

Medicare does not cover day health costs, but Medicaid may pay some of the costs in a licensed center with a medical model or an Alzheimer's environment if the senior qualifies financially. Likewise, if medical staff and services are part of the program, some health insurance policies may pay. If the elder has a long-term care insurance policy, it is worth checking to see if it provides any coverage.

In addition to respite for the caregiver, the senior participating in an adult day program experience many benefits:

It depends what type of program you choose. Every program should have a Registered Nurse (RN) and social worker on staff and, ideally, a trained recreational therapist. If healthcare services are part of the program, the staff providing those services should be appropriately qualified. Likewise, the staff at a dementia-specific program should have specialized training.

Adult day health programs specializing in dementia care will feature activities suitable for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, such as reminiscing, simple arts, and crafts and sing-a-longs. A consistent daily routine helps orient these individuals and provides needed structure. In addition, the physical design of the center should be easy to navigate and secure.

An on-site visit reveals the atmosphere, security, and physical condition of the center. Inquire about licensure and the training of all staff members who will interact with your elder. Observe regular events, such as mealtimes and activities. Ask to see the daily and weekly schedule of events and menus. It is important to establish the elder's needs for care and how they will be met in a formal plan of care. The National Adult Day Services Association offers a complete checklist to help you evaluate an adult day health program. You can find it at www.nadsa.org.

The National Adult Day Services Association website (www.nadsa.org) allows you to search for programs in your area. You also can contact your EAP for referrals. Lastly, your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association may have a listing for programs for individuals with dementia.