Adult Day Health Care
A program that is in professional care settings in which older adults, including adults with dementia, receive individualized therapeutic, social, and health services for some part of the day.
Selecting a Center
The National Adult Day Service Association (NADSA) has a checklist that can be downloaded by clicking here.
NADSA recommends asking the following questions:
- How many years has the center been in operation?
- Is licensure, certification or accreditation required for the center? Is the center licensed, certified or accredited?
- What are the days and hours of operation? What is the policy concerning late arrival or late pick-up?
- What assistance is provided if needed, e.g. eating, toileting, transfers, dispensing medication?
- Is specialized care provided for conditions such as memory loss, Multiple Sclerosis or Traumatic Brain Injury?
- What ancillary services are offered if needed, e.g. transportation, bathing, hair styling, dental checkups, podiatry?
- Do participants have access to services such as physical or occupational therapy?
- What types of activities are provided?
- How are participants involved in planning activities?
- Are meals and/or snacks provided? How are special diets accommodated?
- How often are individual service plans written and updated? How are families involved?
- At what point is a person no longer eligible to receive care at the center?
- What is the staff/ participant ratio?
- What kind of training does staff receive?
- Do volunteers supplement staff?
- What is the fee—hourly, daily or monthly charge? Other charges—meals, snacks, transportation, outings, ancillary services?
- Deposit required? What types of payments are accepted—check, credit card, direct withdrawal? What is the policy for missed days?
- Is financial assistance available if needed?
You may download a list of Adult Day Health Facilities licensed by the RI Department of Health here: