Alabama Administrative Code › Title 410 - STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY › Chapter 410-2-4 - FACILITIES › Section 410-2-4-.06 - Adult Day Care Programs

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Definition. Adult day care programs may
			 be identified as structured, comprehensive programs designed to offer lower
			 cost alternatives to institutionalization for newly or chronically disabled
			 adults who cannot stay alone during the day, but who do not need 24-hour
			 inpatient care. Designed to promote maximum independence, participants usually
			 attend on a scheduled basis. Services may include nursing, counseling, social
			 services, restorative services, medical and health care monitoring, exercise
			 sessions, field trips, recreational activities, physical, occupational and
			 speech therapies, medication administration, well balanced meals, and
			 transportation to and from the facility. Adult day care can provide the respite
			 family members require to sustain healthy relationships while caring for their
			 elderly loved one at home. Adult day care programs provide services to one or
			 more adults not related by blood or marriage to the owner and/or
			 administrator.
(2) Analysis of
			 Existing Adult Day Care Programs. Adult day care programs are not currently
			 licensed by any department of the state of Alabama. As a consequence, it is
			 extremely difficult to ascertain the actual number of such programs within
			 Alabama. However, Adult Day Care Centers are approved through the Alabama
			 Department of Human Resources, the Alabama Department of Senior Services and
			 the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The Alabama Department of Mental Health also uses
			 adult day care.
(3) Adult Day Care
			 Programs as Alternatives to Nursing Home Admission
(a) Efforts should be made to maintain an
			 optimum quality of life for individuals who require extended or long-term care.
			 The types and amounts of services needed for these individuals vary. In order
			 to enhance opportunities for individuals needing extended or long-term care
			 services, the needs of these individuals should be evaluated prior to admission
			 to any extended care or long-term care program, including nursing homes,
			 assisted living homes, and adult day care programs.
(b) In an effort to encourage the development
			 and utilization of alternatives to nursing home and assisted living
			 (domiciliary) care, adult day care programs and services for the elderly should
			 be utilized to the greatest extent possible. It is the intent to provide for
			 the establishment of additional adult day care programs in order that:
(i) the elderly will be given the opportunity
			 to remain with their families and in their communities rather than being placed
			 in nursing homes or state institutions;
(ii) families, particularly those with one or
			 more members working outside of the home, may keep their elderly parents and
			 relatives with them instead of having to place them in impersonal institutions;
			 and
(iii) the state of Alabama can
			 deal more effectively and economically with the needs of its elderly
			 citizens.