Adult Day Care: Its Impact on the Utilization of Other Health Care Services and on Quality of Life.

The Adult Day Care Program (ADC) in the Province of Manitoba is a health and social service program providing socialization and recreation in a supportive environment to those who, without this intervention, might deteriorate in physical or mental health function. To examine the impact of adult day care on the utilization of other health care services (including long-term institutionalization, physician visits, and hospital stays) and on quality of life (including survivorship, overall well-being, activity, and social integration), 76 randomly selected Winnipeg, Manitoba older adults were interviewed. Study participants were matched with those using no home care or home care other than ADC. Interviews were conducted in 1980 and again in 1982. Interview data contained standard demographic information, health information, and activity and social interaction information. An analysis of the results showed that the ADC, per se, was not having a unique effect on the utilization of medical claims services or inpatient hospital services. Rather, in both instances, the ADC participants tended to fall "between" the users of other home care services (the heaviest users) and the nonusers of home care services (the lightest users). Participation in the ADC resulted in a greater likelihood that the individual would be assessed for long-term institutional care and would be admitted to a personal care home. No significant differences emerged between the groups in terms of survival. Participation in ADC led to increased life satisfaction and increased participation in specific activities. Participation also led to increased social integration, a change not shared either by users of other home care services or nonusers. These findings suggest that ADC appears to be successful in fulfilling the objective of socialization. (BL)