Adapting Day Care to the Needs of Adults With Dementia

Abstract

The experience of a coalition of day care providers and, more specifically, the experience at one center revealed that increasing demands to serve clients with dementia are being placed on these programs. Many programs which were created to serve physically frail elders are, however, hesitant to accept clients with severe cognitive impairment, feeling unequipped to meet their special needs. Suggested are ways to modify existing programs to accommodate this population, including adapting screening and intake, the first few visits, behavior management, programming, and staffing.