| Abstract: | Adult day care is a developing concept in the United States. Many consider it a viable alternative to institutionalization for older Americans who are incapacitated. When considering the predicted number of Americans age 80 and over to be 8 million by the year 2000, provisions must be developed to cope with this group and their specific needs. The English experience in adult day care represents a successful and cost effective program. A variety of models are functioning well. Model I and Model II Programs are currently in existence in the United States. Growth is slow but steady. The Subcommittee on Health and Long-Term Care of the House Select Committee on Aging, in 1980, recommended the establishment of a national policy on day care, with funds for planning, and a comprehensive restructuring of funds to better implement the day care concept. Recent legislation, in the form of the Economic Recovery Act, effective January I , 1982. and the 1981 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, represents a beginning as far as economic incentives for day care are concerned. The political climate will undoubtedly effect the future of adult day care, and studies are urgently needed to document its cost effectiveness. |
