Adult Day Programs in the New Reality of High Prevalence of Dementia-with A Toronto Case Study

Abstract

Objectives: Adult Day Programs (ADPs) have been playing an important role providing services to community dwelling elders and their families in health-related prevention, intervention, and family caregiver support. At the time when there is a high prevalence of dementia among older elders, demand for such services will grow. Learn the experiences of ADPs can help identifying service gaps, which are crucial for developing measures to improve such programs’ effectiveness. Methods: This is a case study on the ADPs at the Toronto Geriatric Centre with qualitative research strategy. Interviews and focus group discussions were the data collection methods employed to gather feedbacks from its staff members, clients, and family caregivers. Results: The ADPs at the TGC are helpful to their clients and their families, but have issues in language accessibility, physical accessibility (programs’ schedule and transportation), financial accessibility (affordability), and care accessibility-there is a lack of professional caregivers for those participants who need onsite care. Discussion: The high prevalence of dementia among ADPs’ clients and the resource shortage are the main difficulties facing the TGC. If it was to achieve its intended goal, more resources are needed for their improvements in accessibility, which would involve a user-friendly operation schedule, free or minor-cost transportation, and sufficient program staffing that include professional caregivers. Covid-19 pandemic poses challenges to the entire eldercare sector. ADPs’ post-pandemic arrangements should address emerging needs of the elders they serve. Community elders, especially those persons with dementia, and their families need ADPs for aging at home.