A Comparative Analysis of the Functional Disability Levels of Adult Day Care, Adult Day Health and ICF-Level Nursing Home Elderly in Hawaii.

This study compared the functional disability levels of participants in adult day centers with patients in intermediate care facilities (ICFs). A three-page questionnaire measuring demographics, social resources, physical health, mental health, and activities of daily living as assessed by the Activities of Daily Living scale and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale was administered by trained staff at all 15 of Hawaii's adult day centers and at 22 of Hawaii's 26 ICFs. The final sample (N=824) consisted of 462 ICF patients, 67 Adult Day Health (ADH) participants, and 295 Adult Day Care (ADC) participants. The results revealed significant differences among the three subgroups in functional status while similarities existed in medical diagnoses and demographic characteristics. The demographic makeup of the ADC and ICF groups was similar for mean age, percent female, and incidence of medical diagnoses. The two groups differed in that the ADC group was healthier, more independent, and more involved in social activities that was the ICF group. The degree of family support of ADC participants was significantly higher than for ICF patients. The ADH participants, compared to ICP and ADC participants, were younger, equally likely to be male or female, and had the shortest length of stay in the program. The findings suggest that the availability of family and informal support is an important factor in the use of adult day centers. Appendixes include the functional disability questionnaire and four data tables. (NB)