Developing a Set of Uniform Outcome Measures for Adult Day Services

Abstract

Adult day services (ADS) provide care to adults with physical, functional, and/or cognitive limitations in nonresidential, congregate, community-based settings. ADS programs have emerged as a growing and affordable approach within the home and community-based services sector. Although promising, the growth of ADS has been hampered by a lack of uniform outcome measures and data collection protocols. In this article, the authors detail a recent effort by leading researchers and practitioners in ADS to develop a set of uniform outcome measures. Based upon three recent efforts to develop outcome measures, selection criteria were established and an iterative process was conducted to debate the merits of outcome measures across three domains-participant well-being, caregiver well-being, and health care utilization. The authors conclude by proposing a uniform set of outcome measures to (a) standardize data collection, (b) aid in the development of programming, and

Outcomes for older people with long-term conditions attending day care services delivered by paid staff or volunteers: a comparative study

“…A lack of a standardised definitions of day care services makes determining effectiveness challenging 19 to understand what works, for whom and in what circumstances within day care settings, 25 and little is known about those attending day care and any outcomes or benefits for day care users. 16 , 26 A recent paper published in the United States after the completion of our study 27 has aimed to develop consensus outcomes for day services and focussed on three areas of participant and carer well-being and healthcare utilisation; however, the views of those attending Day Care Services and their carers did not appear to be included within the process of developing outcomes.…”

Dementia patient and caregiver relevant outcomes currently being reported by adult day service centers in the United States

“…In terms of the first aim, results from a national survey revealed that only 10 states (or 20% of all states) were required to regularly collect outcome data in ADS. Given the recent calls for increased uniform data collection in ADS, 12,14 this result was anticipated yet the implications of this result merit discussion. The lack of regular outcome data collection hampers our ability to understand the impact of ADS on the individual, programmatic, and industry levels.…”

“…In early 2020, researchers distributed a survey to the 3768 members of the National Adult Day Services Asso- Several leading researchers focused on ADS have called for the implementation of standardized process and outcome measures across ADS. [12][13][14] They have specifically called for the collection of patient and caregiver relevant outcomes (PCROs) that reflect the lived experience and priorities of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. 15 Recognizing the numerous demands facing ADS staff, researchers have emphasized the importance of ease of administration as well as time-and cost-effectiveness when it comes to instituting any measures.…”

“…Several leading researchers focused on ADS have called for the implementation of standardized process and outcome measures across ADS 12–14 . They have specifically called for the collection of patient and caregiver relevant outcomes (PCROs) that reflect the lived experience and priorities of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers 15 .…”

A National Survey of Data Currently being Collected by Adult Day Service Centers Across the United States

“…Again, researchers can play a role in developing and testing simple yet effective protocols for collecting outcome data in ADC programs. Although such protocols have been proposed (Anderson et al, 2020; Jarrott & Ogletree, 2019), they have yet to be implemented and tested in large-scale national studies.…”