RWJ Study Calls for More Adult Day Centers

May 5, 2003
A nationwide survey of adult day care in the United States finds that the current number of adult day centers — 3,407 — falls far short what is needed to serve the needs of the population of adults with chronic, debilitating illnesses and their family caregivers.

The survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation estimates that about 8,520 adult day centers are needed nationwide to meet current demand for services.

The survey found that new adult day centers are being billed as "adult day health centers" — emphasizing the medical aspect of care over the social, a change that makes them more appealing to managed care companies.

The suvey, the first nationwide study of its kind, found that there is an increase in the frailty of participants in adult day centers and the percentage of dementia clients is increasing.

Adult day services allow chronically ill people to continue living at home while receiving the care they need. These centers, located in many communities across the country, provide health, social, and support services for adults with impaired physical, mental, and/or social abilities.

At the same time, they allow family caregivers much-needed respite, and also allow them to continue working if they need to earn a living.