In Their Own Words: Participants' Perceptions of the Impact of Adult Day Services

Abstract

Despite the growth in the number of adult day services programs providing long-term care in the United States, researchers have struggled to consistently identify the benefits of the services to older adult participants. Instead of identifying participant outcomes driven by administrative databases, funding requirements or accreditation expectations, this study attempted to identify outcomes through the lived experiences of the older adult participants through one-on-one interviews after 3 months of attendance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of older adult participants and to build theoretical understandings that connect experiences with outcomes. Twenty-eight semistructured interviews were conducted with older adults attending 4 day health programs administered by 1 organization in a large mid-west City. Three main program experiences were identified: social connections with participants, empowering relationships with staff, and participation and enjoyment of activities and services. These experiences seemed to be associated with perceived improvements in psychosocial well-being and a perceived decrease in burden or dependence on the caregiver. The findings provide theoretical connections that are helpful for exploring the impact of adult day services based on participant perspectives. Results suggest a need for further examination of the role social workers play in supporting psychosocial services within adult day programs.

Green Care Farms

“…However, the domains of social participation that are addressed by both types of day services facility differ. The most important domains of social participation addressed by RDCFs were social interactions and recreational activities, as was also observed in an earlier qualitative study on ADS (Dabelko-Schoeny & King, 2010). GCFs additionally addressed the domains “paid employment” and “volunteer work.”…”

“…These initiatives aim to offer a structured and meaningful day program to PwD, including health, social, and nutritional services, and by doing so, to provide support and relief to family caregivers (de Bruin, 2009; Fields, Anderson, & Dabelko-Schoeny, 2014; Leitsch, Zarit, Townsend, & Greene, 2001). As such, ADS attendance by PwD may improve outcomes in both participants and their family caregivers for instance in terms of emotional wellbeing, problem behaviours, caregiver burden, and social participation (Fields, Anderson, & Dabelko-Schoeny, 2014; Dabelko-Schoeny & King, 2010; Gaugler et al, 2003b). …”

“Making the best of what we have”: The lived experiences of community psychiatric nurses, day centre managers and social workers supporting clients with dementia attending a generic day care service

“…Previous research has indicated that adults with dementia do respond well to consistency and routine (Weir & Fouche, ). Opportunity to engage in meaningful social interaction is highly valued by day centre clients (Brataas et al., ; Dabelko‐Schoney & King, ). Our data indicated a range of recreational activities that are available to clients.…”

“…Our data indicated a range of recreational activities that are available to clients. Recreational activities have potential to foster senses of purpose and belonging (Dabelko‐Schoney & King, ; Nolan, Brown, Davies, Nolan, & Keady, ; Weir & Fouche, ). The participants in our study highlighted that music and singing were particularly uplifting for clients with dementia and had potential to “bring them back.” Research conducted by McDermott, Orrell, and Ridder () has affirmed that listening to music can support personal psychology.…”

“…The literature indicates that day centre attendance is associated with enhanced mental well-being for clients with dementia. Clients place value on the opportunities provided for engagement in meaningful social interaction (Brataas, Bjugan, Wille, & Helizwen, 2010;Dabelko-Schoney & King, 2010). In addition, the range of activities offered in centres can promote pleasurable anticipation and a sense of satisfaction (Dabelko-Schoney & King, 2010;Tse & Howie, 2005).…”