Adult day care centers and the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients: A critical analysis

Abstract

Increasingly adult day care services will provide transitional care for Alzheimer's disease patients in mild or moderate stages of the disease. The following small scale studyfinds that adult day care services as transitional care allows patients with Alzheimer's disease to remain in the community for a longer period of care, than would otherwise be possible. The quality of life of patients appears to be highest in private (mostly voluntary) adult day care centers. The most comprehensive case management is found in private (voluntary and proprietary) adult day care centers rather than in public adult day care centers. Such private centers seem to have a more positive impact on behavioralfunctioning than the less comprehensive approach utilized by the public centers. Also, even where adult day care services are provided, informal caregivers are better able to function when they have an informal system of support offamily members and/or neighbors. In addition to adult day care service, family caregivers also need respite care and other supportive social services. Also, the study reveals some discrepancy between formal and informal caregiver perceptions of patient condition.