Make Sure Your Center Is Counted: Register for the 2009 Adult Day Services Census

Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, NADSA Board

Drs. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny and Keith Anderson, primary investigators on the National Adult Services Census _________________

The 2009 Adult Day Services Census is a count of every adult day center currently operating in the United States. Your participation is needed to help us gather data that will provide critical information to consumers, providers and policymakers about the adult day service (ADS) industry.

The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) and the Ohio State University College of Social Work (OSU) have partnered with the MetLife Mature Market Institute to conduct a two-phase study to examine the current state of ADS in the United States and to identify programs utilizing research-based practice to fight chronic and debilitating conditions faced by individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. 

In order for us to fully understand the exponential growth in ADS and to plan for the future needs of an aging society, up-to-date data is urgently needed. A national database of program information, similar to that available in the nursing home industry, has yet to be developed. Past research has, however, shed some light on the national picture of ADS. Two studies conducted over six years ago attempted to gauge the overall number of ADS programs in the U.S., the services offered, and important characteristics such as funding, staffing, and attendance (see National Study of Adult Day Services, 2001-2002; Howell-White, Rosato, & Lucas, 2005).  While providing valuable information, both studies were limited in describing how services provided are associated with changes in well-being and, at this point in time, their findings are outdated. In light of the expansion of ADS programs and the emphasis of documenting changes in health outcomes, new national data is critically needed to understand the impact of services and to plan for future service and policy development.

Please take a few moments and click here to register for the 2009 Adult Day Services Census. Please pass along this link to any adult day centers you know of that are currently operating in the United States so that they are included in the National Census.