Celebrate National Adult Day Services Week September 13th – 19th, 2015
“Adult Day Services: Living Well Into the Future”
What a great theme to highlight the importance of wellness – both as a goal of care as well as a benefit- for programs offered by adult day centers across the county.
In 1983, former President Ronald Regan proclaimed that the 3rd full week be set aside in September as National Adult Day Services Week to increase national awareness and accessibility of adult day services (ADS).
Although many communities throughout the country still are underserved by adult day programs, the numbers of centers continue to rise each year. Findings from the 2010 MetLife Survey reflected 4,600 centers which was a 35% increase since 2002. And, in 2014 the National Adult Day Services Association reported 5,685 centers.
Many things have changed since 1983 and so has the world of adult day services. Now, instead of going to “day care”, adults can attend “social and wellness” centers. Even the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has recently announce a name change from “adult day care” to “Day Activity and Health Services”, effective September 1st.
The shift of focus of day programs and services to one of social and wellness has increased recognition of the important role of these centers in Long-term Care. Other key findings from the MetLife Survey showed that ADS are:
• Leaders in community-based care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia
• Essential source of support for family caregivers
• Able to provide comprehensive health care with Professional nurse on staff and staffing ratios
• Manage chronic diseases with a heightened focus on prevention and health maintenance.
ADS provide a care option that supports individuals as well as their caregivers and helps them all live well.
By Pam Kovacs Johnson