Adult day care for the frail elderly: outcomes, satisfaction, and cost

Abstract

Objectives: To assess outcomes and satisfaction among frail elderly day care clients and their informal caregivers and the impact of adult day care on the cost of health services.

Methods: One-hundred eight elderly participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (immediate admission to an adult day care center) and 104 participants to the control group (3 months on a waiting list).

Results: Participants' and caregivers' subjective perceptions of the day center's effects were positive. However, using standard research instruments, there was no evidence of an effect of day center attendance on the client's anxiety, depression, or functional status; on caregiver burden; or on the cost of health services.

Discussion: It is difficult to demonstrate objectively the benefits of programs and interventions that are perceived by clients, caregivers, and staff to have positive effects. In future studies, maintenance of high levels of participation should be incorporated as an explicit program goal.