FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an adult day program?
Adult day programs provide daytime care in a group setting. Elders and others living with chronic conditions or disabilities get picked up at their homes, spend the morning and early afternoon at the program, and then return home in time for dinner.

A safe, dignified place to spend the day, adult day programs help people stay as healthy as possible while living at home. Research studies (http://www.adsnac.org/How_We_Help/Health_Professionals/researchstudies.htm) have shown that regular attendance at an adult day program substantially decreases one's chance of falling or having an accident that would require a visit to a hospital or an Emergency Room.

In part this is due to medication reminders, mild exercise, a hot lunch and coordination with your doctor. But it's also because adult day programs help people connect with each other through all kinds of group and individual activities, from artwork to gardening to trivia games. For many, the friendships that develop mean the end of isolation and despair.

And while the people who attend these programs enjoy community and a change of perspective, the family members who would otherwise care for them are able to work outside the home or simply take a break.

Use the Program Finder (http://www.adsnac.org/Programs/index.htm) to find an Adult Day Program near you. Or call us to speak to someone right away, at (510) 577-3543.


What does it cost?
Costs vary according to the level of care provided, which is different at different types of adult day programs. It also helps to know whether the care recipient receives (or qualifies for) either Medi-Cal, Medicare, private health insurance, or long-term care insurance in order to figure out what your actual out-of-pocket costs will be.

Here are some rough guidelines:
  • Adult day care programs start at about $30 per day. Providing a wide range of activities and support for frail adults who are at risk for falls, accidents, and depression, these programs are more affordable than home care, and more effective at alleviating isolation, encouraging appropriate exercise and providing some intellectual stimulation. Scholarships and subsidies are often available to make this option even more affordable.
     
  • Adult day health care programs include medical services such as nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Because they can accept Medi-Cal payments, there is usually no cost to the participant for these programs, pending Medi-Cal approval. Some of these programs specialize in dementia care, insuring a low staff-to-participant ratio and extra family services.
     
  • Still other types of programs, called Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), operate like HMOs. They provide adult day care and all of your medical care for the rest of your life -- including direct access to specialists and 24 hour emergency services - providing you see medical professionals within the PACE system. These programs are designed for people eligible for both Medicare AND Medi-Cal, so that participants pay a minimal monthly fee (the MediCal so-called "part B share of cost"), typically about $20 per month.
All of the 17 programs in Alameda County operate as non-profit organizations, offering scholarships and subsidies to lower income participants whenever possible. Don't let financial concerns prevent you from exploring what an adult day program can do for you.


How soon can someone start?
The enrollment process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the program and whether a physician's report is required or not. It's important to note that adult day programs are NOT drop-in centers, as they require extensive health, personal background and emergency information on each participant in order to provide excellent care.

Because adult day programs are such a great option, programs sometimes have waiting lists. If you're considering a program, it can't hurt to begin the enrollment process earlier rather than later, so the program is there for you when you need it.


How do I find a program near me?
Use our Program Finder (http://www.adsnac.org/Programs/index.htm), or, give us a call at (510) 577-3543 to speak to someone familiar with all of the programs in Alameda County.


Can someone attend part-time?
In almost all cases, yes, attending part-time is an option. Often people combine a few days a week at a program with a few days a week of in-home care.

With the exception of PACE programs, no long-term commitment to a program is necessary. You can simply try out a program and see if it works for you. If it doesn't, you can just stop going. However, be forewarned that changes in routine become harder to manage as we age, and it usually takes several weeks for someone to feel completely comfortable in new surroundings. Talk to your program staff for ideas of ways to make the transition as smooth as possible.


Is transportation provided? By whom?
Yes. Adult day programs either have their own vans or work with East Bay ParaTransit to pick-up participants from their homes in the morning, and bring them home again in plenty of time for dinner with their family. Call the program(s) you're interested in for details.


Does Medi-Cal pay for this? How about Medicare?
The short answer is that Medi-Cal pays for one kind of adult day program, the Adult Day Health Care program (ADHC). On the other hand, Medicare, by itself, does not pay for any type of adult day program. However people who qualify for BOTH Medi-Cal AND Medicare may find the Program of All Inclusive Care an almost no-cost solution. There are different types of adult day programs, and they accept different forms of reimbursement / payment.

For people who qualify for Medi-Cal, the services of an Adult Day Health Care program (ADHC) are covered at no cost to them, pending Medi-Cal approval. Staff of the adult day program will talk with family members and the person's physician, and then ask the person to meet with specialists to determine how many days per week this person would medically benefit from attendance. Staff then make a formal request to Medi-Cal, which in turn will authorize all, some, or (very rarely) none of the requested days. It does sometimes happen that Medi-Cal approves only 3 or 4 days per week and the person wants and needs to attend 5 days a week. In these cases, the person or their family has the option of paying out of pocket for those "extra" days.

For people who qualify for BOTH Medi-Cal AND Medicare, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) may be the best choice. These programs provide adult day care and all of your medical care for the rest of your life -- including direct access to specialists and 24 hour emergency services. You must see medical professionals within the PACE system for full coverage. People in these programs pay a minimal monthly fee (the Medi-Cal so-called "part B share of cost"), which is typically only about $20 per month.

Adult Day Care (ADC) programs are considered a "non-medical" program and therefore cannot receive either Medi-Cal or Medicare reimbursement. However, some can accept long-term care insurance, and for those paying out-of-pocket, this is the most affordable option.


What's the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Medicare and Medi-Cal are two entirely different programs.

Medicare is a federal government health insurance program for people over 65 regardless of their income. It also covers younger disabled people who receive Social Security. Medicare provides coverage for hospitalization, doctors and other types of medical expenses. Medicare is a medical insurance program, and except for a limited short term nursing home benefit, does not cover the costs of nursing home or other long term care.

Medicaid is a program funded by a combination of federal, state, and local taxes, and can vary from state to state. Medicaid covers low-income people of every age. Usually Medicaid recipients pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses, although sometimes a small co-payment is required. The program is designed to pay for long term care, including nursing home care. In California, we call our Medicaid program Medi-Cal. (So for California residents, Medicaid and Medi-Cal mean the same thing.)

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a great place to start if you're unsure what kind of coverage you're eligible for, if you need help filling out the paperwork, or if you want to appeal an unfavorable decision. Locally, HICAP can be reached at (510) 839-0393.


What sort of people go to adult day programs?
All sorts of people go to adult day programs. Retired professors, architects, electricians, musicians, doctors and full-time mothers go to programs; African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and Caucasians go to programs; people who are sharp as a tack but physically frail go to programs; people who are physically in great shape but living with memory loss go to programs; gays, lesbians, straight people, married, widowed and single people go to programs, and some couples attend together; men and women go to programs; people of all faith backgrounds (or no faith) go to programs.

Consider visiting two or three programs to get a sense of the variety of choices you have. Each program has it's own personality and it's own collection of characters. You'll find the one that's right for you.


Are there programs for people who don't speak English?
Yes. There are programs designed primarily for mono-lingual Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean residents (see Hong Fook and Hong Fook Harrison Street). There are also a wide variety of languages spoken at adult day programs, both by staff and participants, even if the dominant language is English. Contact the Network at (510) 883-0874, for a referral to a program that will work for you.


Are there eligibility requirements?
Yes, and these vary by program. Generally programs have a minimum age requirement (some set this at 18, others at 60). Some programs can fully care for people who are incontinent while other programs offer verbal reminders only, or can handle bladder incontinence but not bowel incontinence. Some programs specialize in dementia care and therefore require a doctor's diagnosis of Alzheimer's or one of the many other forms of dementia. All programs carefully monitor how many participants use wheelchairs on any given day to be sure that everyone can move about easily.

In general, people who cannot tolerate group activities, who have active substance abuse problems, who are sometimes sexually inappropriate, hostile or aggressive may not be suitable for adult day programs. Feel free to speak candidly with the staff of any adult day program about behaviors you see at home that trouble you. These kind people have "heard it all and seen it all" and can help you determine whether or not the issue you have encountered would likely be a problem at the program - and they may even have some suggestions to help make your home life more happy and harmonious.


Can you help people in crisis?
It's not uncommon for family caregivers to feel they're at "the end of their rope" by the time they learn of, or contact, an adult day program. While both the Network and adult day programs do our best to provide referrals to crisis support centers and other community resources, we are not crisis services. Unfortunately it is generally not possible to call one day and receive services the next. There is an enrollment process, which varies from a few days to a few weeks, that is required in order to provide excellent care and insure stability for the others attending the program.

If you think that an elder may be suffering from physical, financial or emotional abuse, or is being neglected (including self-neglect), please call Adult Protective Services immediately, at (866) CALL-APS, which is (866) 225-5277. During business hours, and for less urgent matters, the Senior Information & Assistance service of Alameda County may also be able to help you, at (800) 510-2020.

To locate crisis hotlines, food banks and emergency shelters, please contact Eden Information & Referral Service, at (510) 420-0550.


If I go to an adult day program, does that mean I lose my IHSS coverage (In Home Supportive Services)?
Absolutely not, there is no conflict between attending an adult day program and receiving IHSS benefits.


Can you help me find a senior center?
Yes. You'll find a list of local senior centers (and a lot of other helpful fact sheets) on our website at http://www.adsnac.org/How_We_Help/factsheets.htm.


Do you hire home care workers?
No, sorry. The Adult Day Services Network is an association of adult day programs, not a provider of adult day services.


What does the Adult Day Services Network of Alameda County do?
The Network is an association of the 17 non-profit adult day programs that serve Alameda County, California. We offer a broad range of services for the general public as well as adult day providers. In all our work, our goal is to support the health, independence, and families of elders in the East Bay. Specifically, we...
  • Provide a free information & referral service
     
  • Maintain a clearinghouse of information about adult day services
     
  • Conduct community education sessions
     
  • Obtain funding so that adult day programs can offer clients help paying for care
     
  • Secure funding for caregiver counseling programs
     
  • Focus on accessibility at every level
     
  • Promote top-quality services and assist programs in improving their services
     
  • Explore cross-referrals and coordination with other agencies
     
  • Undertake technology projects on behalf of adult day programs
     
  • Coordinate networking and training opportunities for adult day provider staff members


How can I thank you?
We do not ask for, or expect, anything in return for our services to elders and their families. If we've managed to be helpful to you, fantastic! That's our goal and our job.

If you still want to do something special, you can help us in any of the following ways:
  • Tell other people about our free services and the value of adult day services. Spreading the word is one way to make a very real contribution!
     
  • A short email or written note is always appreciated. We care about your experience with the Network and with adult day services in general. Additionally, these notes sometimes help us raise funds by making our information and referral service more tangible to funders.
     
  • If you're able to make a contribution without incurring financial hardship, we will gladly put it to good use. As a tiny nonprofit organization, we raise our own salaries and operating expenses each year through government grants, private foundations and individual donors like you.