222891 Assessing Barriers to Utilization of Adult Day Care Centers in a Rural County

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Derek Huang , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
William Ares , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Michael Hart , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Laurel Karian , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Maria Michael , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Auna Otts , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Donna Lafromboise-Perretta , Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, VT, Colchester, VT
Jill Jemison , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jan K. Carney, MD MPH , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Introduction. Adult Day Care programs provide cognitively or functionally-impaired adults with medical, social, and therapeutic services and offer respite and education to family caregivers. We explored underutilization of Vermont's VNA Adult Day Care centers by comparing demographics, services provided, referrals, transportation constraints, and satisfaction surveys between centers and to national guidelines. Methods. Three different methods were used to collect the data for this project: A survey assessing satisfaction was distributed to clients at each of the three sites of the VNA; A standardized telephone interview was conducted with community referral services; A structured interview was completed with each site director. Results. Clients across all three programs are happy with the quality of activities, improvement in mood, and respite for caregivers. A portion of the clients, especially those at Prim Road, have difficulty arranging transportation. Our survey also shows that clients choose to attend the program based upon recommendations by family, friends, and healthcare providers. Referrers perceive the three VNA sites differently in the activities and opportunities for socialization provided. Discussion. A national study by the Robert Wood Johnson foundation, Partners in Caregiving, determined that adult day programs in Chittenden County appear to be in excess capacity of the population. Despite satisfaction of the program, all three adult day centers are not operating at capacity. This appears to be due to several factors including transportation complications and referrer perceptions. Recommendations include extending hours of operation; marketing centers more aggressively; and shifting client population to take advantage of existing public transportation.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the function of Adult Day Care programs in therapeutic, medical, social and respite services in communities 2. Explain methods uses to assess utilization barriers in a rural county 3. Discuss the utility of GIS in understanding and presenting study data

Keywords: Access and Services, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I participated in the research that went into the project and helped write the poster presentation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.