Search

Day centers provide opportunities for older people to achieve active and healthy aging. Staff play a significant role in day centers, although evidence is lacking concerning their role. To explore the experiences of staff in promoting active and healthy aging at social day centers, interviews with 12 staff working at day centers for older people were carried out. The findings present two categories: the actions of the staff and conditions affecting activities at the day centers. Staff at day centers may play an important role in providing opportunities for older people to maintain health and participation in meaningful activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters are often stressful for persons with cognitive impairment (PWCI) and caregivers. We investigated the impact of the Northern California 2017 wildfires on PWCI and caregivers who were participating in a research study of an integrative group movement program at an adult day center affected by the fires. One month and 7 months after the fires, we sent caregivers a survey that included the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS, range: 0–40) and open-ended questions to assess the psychosocial impact of the fires on PWCI and caregivers. We used paired t-tests to analyze PSS responses and qualitative content analysis for open-ended responses. Thirteen of the 17 caregivers returned at least one survey. Caregivers reported moderate levels of perceived stress at both time points, with no change over time (PSS mean: 20.4 vs. 21.3, p =.31). We identified three psychosocial domains impacted by the fires. First, both PWCI and caregivers experienced emotional distress. Second, PWCI exhibited a range of cognitive responses, including confusion and disorientation, no impact, hyperawareness, and improved cognitive function and adaptability. Third, despite emotional distress, some caregivers reported increased self-efficacy. Our results provide evidence of resilience in some PWCI and caregivers in response to the fires, despite emotional distress. This resilience may have been due to the sense of community that sometimes occurs following natural disasters, or it may have been a result of participating in the study, which was designed to promote social/emotional connectedness and may have provided a source of continuity and support during a time of tragedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exploratory study was implemented to characterize the sedentary behavior of people older than 75, attending day care, and study its association with quality-of-life. Sedentary behavior was measured with accelerometer and its patterns characterized with an Activity Diary. Quality-of-life was measured with the WHOQOL. Fifty-four people (84.5 ± 5.4) reported on 378 days. More than 75% of awake time was sedentary, mostly watching TV (53.3%) in the afternoon (48.4%) alone (57.4%). No significant associations with quality-of-life were found. To break sedentary periods, clinical interventions need to focus on this context and day period, inspired in existing routine activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the feasibility of implementing Enhance Mobility (EM), a tailored, evidence-informed group exercise and walking program for older adults with dementia, into an adult day services center. Participant physical performance outcomes were measured at baseline and 8 months. Program staff were interviewed to understand implementation challenges. Participant outcomes did not change significantly, though gait speed improved from limited to community ambulation levels. Implementation challenges included space reallocation and adequate staffing. Adopting EM in adult day services is feasible, and has potential to reach older adults who could benefit from tailored exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current Aims:Activity professionals are integrally involved with programming for participants in adult day services (ADS) designed to promote health and function. Because little guidance currently exists, this study aimed to systematically identify assessments suitable for measuring ADS wellness program outcomes.Methods:Systematic literature review methods identified 57 assessments in six domains: cognitive, mood, energy/activity/participation, motor, balance, and overall health/wellness. Each assessment was evaluated for psychometric properties; practical considerations; and suitability for persons with various cognitive and ambulatory levels, and group administration. Each assessment was rated from 1 (not suitable) to 4 (highly suitable), and an informational matrix was constructed to include assessments receiving scores of 3 or 4.Results:Nine appropriate outcomes measures were identified and two cognitive assessment for pre-program screening were identified.Conclusions:The matrix can be used by activity professionals as a practical, empirically-derived guide to ADS wellness program planning and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effect of a leisure education program on a geriatric day hospital patient population. It discusses how formalized service including leisure education to address leisure awareness, social interaction skills, leisure resources, leisure activity skills, and recreation participation may have significant impact on hospitals patients' physical, psychological, and social health.

The article presents thes study on a novel modification of the method of loci to improve older adults' memory. The study reportedly involved attendees of an adult day care center whose cognitive functin were evaluated. The modified method involves physical and social activities, music, and a cognitive training method. The results revealed that the modified method effectively improves memory function.

The Buddy's Glee Club study was implemented to understand the benefits of participating in a choir on the health, wellness, and successful aging of older adults who are either cognitively intact or diagnosed with dementia. Participants were recruited from an adult day care program in a Canadian metropolitan area and took part in a weekly 1-hour choral program for 16 weeks. They were assessed both pre- and post-intervention for general health, self-esteem, anxiety, feelings/emotions, and quality of life. After 16 weeks participants were interviewed. Five large themes emerged from the data: friendship and companionship, simplicity, happiness and uplifting and positive feelings, relaxing and reduced anxiety, and fun. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The benefits of exercise are irrefutable, yet a disparity exists between research and center-based aged care. This study investigates the feasibility of a staff-delivered respite day care exercise program and the benefits to center clients. A single-group repeated-measures evaluation was undertaken of an evidenced-based exercise program specific to low-functioning older adults (N = 23, 78.35 ± 1.53 years). Muscle function and physical performance was measured after 0, 16, and 24 sessions. Program delivery by staff was assessed for feasibility, safety, and sustainability. The program had a 69.6% retention rate and participants had increased capacity in all measures. Physical performance measures achieved significance (p≤ .002), except for the habitual walk (p= .061). Training was safely and competently delivered by center staff. This study shows that a center-based staff-delivered exercise program can be delivered safely and with measurable benefits for low-functioning participants accessing respite day care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between three characteristics identified as central to creative expression (CE) activities: creativity, failure-free, and group process with staff-participant engagement and participant affect. An observational study was conducted in an adult day center. Staff-participant interactions (n = 241) were recorded as they participated in sculpture, which is a type of CE activity, and 12 different traditional activities. MANOVA tests revealed that levels of engagement were greater when participants were involved in activities that included the three traits. Greater levels of positive affect were observed when participants were involved in activities that included creativity or group process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Satisfaction with adult day services is an important outcome measure in developing standards for quality care and for changing the service delivery patterns. However, currently there is no valid tool available to assess caregiver satisfaction with adult day services. This pilot study was undertaken to develop and test a satisfaction measure using a caregiver sample of 143. Factor analysis of the satisfaction scale reveals two distinct dimensions of services, “satisfaction with staff care” and “satisfaction with facility services.” The authors discuss the underlying concepts, scale reliability, recommendations for improving the measure, and implications for adult day service staff and administrators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article reports the results of a 1998 pilot study involving 26 caregivers that have relatives suffering form some type of dementia. The purpose of the study is to determine if an adult day program that speicalizes in helping those afflicted with dementia care serve as a effective way of providing respite care to caregivers, reducing reported levels of direct responsibility and care. According to sutdy results, adult day program alone was not found to be a complete form of respite; however, over-all caregiver satisfaction was strong and the adults day program was viewed as a positive way to provide partial respite to caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reviews the book "Planning and Managing Adult Day Care: Pathways to Success," by Linda Cook Webb.