Day care programs for clients with dementia

Abstract

In order to better define the characteristics of day care programs for clients with dementia, we accomplished an on-site survey of all 29 adult day care programs in two Florida counties. We compared standard adult day care (21 centers) with specialized Alzheimer day care (eight centers). Variables includedfacility, staff, client, program, and service characteristics. Alzheimer centers had higher staff to client ratios, greater staff time and services required, with more impaired functional status and behavior of clients. However, considerable variability was noted amongAlzheimer centers, with sizeable overlap between those adult day care centers serving more impaired clients - and those Alzheimer centers serving less impaired clients. We conclude that significant heterogeneity exists among these centers, making selection and referral difficult. Standards of care are needed to provide criteria for designation of those specialized day care centers serving demented clients.