Services: Senior Day Health Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a physician’s order to bring my loved one to the Center?

Anyone can refer a prospective participant to the Center. However, for all enrolled participants, the primary care physician submits a completed history and physical report, as well as medical orders for the care of that participant.

What are the basic criteria for a person to enroll at the Center?

While we can generally manage those with bladder incontinence, we cannot manage those with bowel incontinence. Participants must be able to feed themselves. Also, persons using a wheelchair must be able to transfer from/to the toilet with the assistance of one person. We cannot lift participants.

What will he/she be doing all day at the Center?

There are activities and classes from 9:00am until 3:00pm (see activity calendar). In addition, a participant may receive physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, nursing services, or may meet with a social worker. Lunch (see menu) is cooked in our kitchen each day and served by our staff.

Can a person stay later than the defined program hours?

We offer extended hours from 8:00am to 9:00am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm for those whom the staff determines are able to tolerate a longer day. There is an extra $20 per each hour charge for these hours.

Does a person have to attend every day?

No, participants may enroll from two to five days per week.

Can a person attend for a couple of hours each day?

The Center is not a drop-in program. Participants enroll for the full program (generally about a five-hour day, depending upon transportation) and attend on the same days each week as scheduled by the family and the social worker.

Do you provide transportation?

The Center will transport those who live in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, parts of Los Altos, and most of Sunnyvale. Those who do not live in our transportation areas are transported via Outreach or family/caregiver.

What does it cost?

Fees are paid in three ways: with Medi-Cal approval, the daily fee can be covered; the VA will cover the fee for qualified veterans and for those who pay privately, the fee is determined on a sliding scale according to income and assets. The fees range from $76.27 per day to $125 per day. The daily fee covers all of the services the Center provides; there are no extra charges for services provided by the program.

Will Medicare or private insurance cover costs?

Medicare does not cover adult day health services. Some long-term care policies do contribute to the cost of this program.

Who attends this program?

We serve participants with a range of abilities and disabilities. The Center serves those with Parkinson’s disease or residual effects from stroke; those who suffer from long-term mental illness; those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; and those with other disabilities that prevent them from obtaining quality social, intellectual, and physical activities on their own. Our participants use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or walk on their own. The current age range is 58 to 100, but most who attend are in their 70s and 80s. Our participants come from many ethnic backgrounds.

Why do people come to the Center?

We serve those who need intellectual, social, and physical stimulation and are not able to obtain these things on their own. Some suffer from a level of dementia that indicates they cannot be safe at home alone. Also, attendance at the Center provides respite for caregivers, enabling them to go to work or participate in activities and personal business without the worry of whether their loved one is OK at home.

What is the enrollment process?

• Following the initial intake, a tour is scheduled for the prospective participant and his/her caregiver/family/significant others. This gives all concerned the opportunity to "look around."
• If this goes well, the participant is invited back for a visiting day, a "trial" day in which the participant participates in two morning classes and lunch, providing a further opportunity for the person to "try it out" and allow the Center staff to become familiar with the person’s needs and level of functioning.
• If everyone agrees that the participant will enroll, we then require completion of some forms from the family, caregiver, or significant other, and medical information submitted by the primary care physician. Also, the Director explains the fee and plans transportation.
• Next, assessment days are scheduled. Three days are planned in which the participant attends for the full program day, but meets individually with members of the interdisciplinary team (RN, PT, OT, Social Worker, and Activity Coordinator). The Social Worker, RN, and Activity Coordinator also meet privately with the caregiver. The Social Worker later makes a home visit to advise about safety issues.
• Finally, the professional team reviews the information that has been collected, develops an individual plan of care and, if appropriate for the program, offers the participant admission to the program.

Can the family member or caregiver come to see the program?

Yes. We offer a "mini-tour" for those who wish to see the program before bringing their loved ones. Mini-tours, like full tours, must be scheduled in advance.

I don’t think my loved one will agree to coming. How can I convince her/him?

Take it one step at a time. The tour is just that: a chance to look around. Assure the person no one lives at the Center—people with dementia often believe they are being placed in a facility. Compare the Center to school, a club, or work, whatever makes sense to the prospective participant. The caregiver can say, "Please do this for me." If appropriate, remind the participant she/he can choose whether or not to attend the program.

What happens if the activity being offered doesn’t interest my loved one?

Most of our activities are group activities. There are often simultaneous activities occurring so participants may choose what most interests them. We encourage participation, and we assist and redirect as needed to ensure that each participant is engaged in an enjoyable experience.

Is there any help for the caregiver?

Caregivers are very important to us. We offer a twice-monthly support group called "Family Group" to give family members the opportunity to share the ups and downs of caregiving with other caregivers. Staff members are always available for consultation and support. Social work can refer caregivers to additional resources for care and support when needed.

What do people say about being in the program?

We often hear participants say, "I feel so at home here" or "I am so glad I was able to get up and get here today." Caregivers express relief at being given the chance to have a time out from caregiving, and note that their loved ones are often more animated and alert when they attend the Center. As one caregiver expressed: "It’s just so nice to be able to have time to sit in my house and think!" 100% of the caregivers who responded to our most recent survey stated that they would recommend our program to their friends and neighbors.