Adult day health services are the fastest-growing segment of the community-based care market. This rapid growth is due to the aging of America’s population and the desire of families to keep older loved ones at home and active in the community. Adult day care services are designed to meet the needs of adults with functional or cognitive impairments through an individual plan of care. These programs offer a cost-effective alternative to nursing home placement with the goal of improving the client’s ability to remain independent, while also offering the caregiver much-needed respite.

In honor of Adult Day Services Week, which will be held Sept. 20-26, adult day cares across the nation will host special events and activities that will educate the public about the services provide and the cost effectiveness of this less recognized long term care option.

“In the past, when a relative became ill with a chronic condition, many families felt as though they only had two options: in-home care or placing their loved one in a nursing home,” said Kris Baldock, CEO of Active Day, the nation’s largest network of adult day cares, in-home personal care companies and outpatient rehabilitation centers. “Medical adult day care represents the middle ground between these two difficult health care extremes.”

According to the National Adult Day Services Association, there are more than 3,500 centers nationwide helping more than 150,000 Americans each day. While costs differ based on the level of care and geographic region, nationwide averages show that the annual costs for medical adult day health services are roughly half of that for assisted living and less than one quarter of that for nursing home care. In many cases, Medicaid will cover the cost of medical adult day health services for individuals who qualify. Other funding sources include Veteran’s Administration benefits, federal and state grants, community programs and private insurance.

The MetLife Mature Market Institute conducted a survey that compared the average costs of adult day services, assisted living facilities, in-home personal care and nursing homes. Adult day services had a daily rate of $64 compared to a home companion care average of $20 an hour. The national average rate for a private room in a nursing home was $212 daily, whereas an assisted living cost approximately $3,031 per month.

Medical model adult day cares, like Active Day, provide health services, meals, transportation and therapeutic activities in a safe and structured environment. Most adult day cares are open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Active Day has more than 50 locations in seven states including Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio and South Carolina.

For more information on the benefits and services of adult day care or to learn more about Adult Day Services Week, contact the local Active Day Center, 767 N. Main St., Russellville, 726-2100, or go to www.activeday.com.