Report from the Publications Chair

Lynne Zimmerman

The Publications Committee has been reviewing the National Standards for Adult Day Services during the past year. The 98-page most recent edition of the standards published in 1997 provides a comprehensive outline of "best practices" in all areas of facility operations and service delivery. The committee plans to have all comments and changes suggested by the team members collated and reviewed by April 30. The final draft of the updated standards and guidelines will be prepared for team and board review in May with the goal of achieving a board approved revision ready for publication by June 30.

Initial reviews indicate that a profound revision of the current standards and guidelines is not warranted.  Emphasis is placed on the importance of target population identification and assessment, administration, organizational structure, individualized plans of care—including the "new service categories," direct service provision, staffing requirements, facility design and program evaluations. The Standards and Guidelines manual provides information to prepare any Adult Day Service program for accreditation. The final product will be an updated and refreshed version of the current publication.

Standards and Guidelines for Adult Day Services is just one of the publications available from the National Adult Day Services Association. To review all the NADSA resources available for purchase, visit our website.