ASSESSMENT OF ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAM AND CLIENT HEALTH CHARACTERISTICS IN U.S. REGION III (NURSING, ROGERS, UNITED STATES).
Contributors: West Virginia University.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 558
Subjects: Gerontology.
Description: An assessment was conducted of U.S. Region III Adult Day Care (ADC) program and client health characteristics according to models of ADC (restorative, maintenance, and social) and geographic area. The assessment of health was based on Roger's model of unitary human beings in which 4 dimensions of health were developed: personal and environmental conditions, personal feelings, personal actions, and thought (subjective evaluations of personal and environmental qualities of living).

Three samples consisted of 53 programs, 182 clients proportionately sampled from 31 programs, and 77 interviewers' assessment of instrument feasibility. Program characteristics showed: a majority of maintenance and social models, 1/3 affiliated with other institutions, daily census 17.5, client:staff ratio 3.8, with nurses, social workers, and recreational therapists the primary professional staff. Average costs/client/day were $25.93 (range $11-$51) from: client charge (21%), Title III-OAA (18.4%), and Title XX-SSA (12.1%). Significant differences according to models were noted with: costs, services provided, and staff.

Health characteristics were measured by the MAI (PGC Multilevel Assessment Instrument) and the PIL (Purpose in Life Test). Significant differences according to models were noted in one of 44 health variables, the number of services used outside of ADC. Several significant differences were noted according to geographic area. With several significant differences in program characteristics according to models and only one according to client health, there did not appear to be a match between program and client health characteristics.

Nurses were employed in 67% of the programs, with 1/3 of ADC directors as nurses. Significant differences in program and client health characteristics were reported in programs with and without nurses. Hypotheses testing supported client preferences to remain in their communities versus moving and ADC versus institutionalization as they grow older. Psychometric qualities of the instruments showed good internal consistency with concurrent and criterion related validity estimated. Feasibility as perceived by ADC interviewers was neutral.

Some recommendations for further study related to: examining ADC characteristics according to major funding sources, monitoring use of non-ADC community services, examining impact on family well-being, nursing curriculum evaluation, rescaling the PIL, and adding an environmental condition domain to the MAI.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-11, Section: A, page: 3460.

Thesis (ED.D.)--WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, 1985.

School code: 0256.