PIH Health - S. Mark Taper Foundation's A Day Away Adult Day Health Care

What is it?

PIH Health’s S. Mark Taper Foundation A Day Away Adult Day Health Care serves adults ages 18+ who need continuous supervision and care for a variety of reasons, including frailty, developmental disability, memory impairment, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or stroke. The center’s highly skilled multi-disciplinary team consists of a medical director; a registered nurse; nursing assistants; physical, speech and occupational therapists; registered dietician; and social worker.

A Day Away offers both medical and social programs, depending on individual need. The medical program includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy; medication administration; and simple wound dressing. The social program includes supervision of safety and self-care activities, arts and crafts, pet therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Participants are served fresh, nutritious meals each day. In addition, A Day Away provides ongoing family education and support groups. A Day Away is licensed by the California Department of Health Services and certified by the California Department of Aging.

Who is it for?

A Day Away serves adults ages 18+ who need continuous supervision and care for a variety of reasons, including frailty, developmental disability, memory impairment, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or stroke. The majority of participants reside in southeastern Los Angeles County and portions of Orange County. Scholarships are available to those in need, in keeping with PIH Health’s charitable mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves, regardless of health or economic status.

Why do they do it?

A Day Away was created to provide families with an alternative to nursing home or assisted living placement, with peace of mind that their loved ones are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment. In keeping with this vision, A Day Away offers a safe place for adults needing continuous supervision to ensure an opportunity for caregivers to maintain their jobs, care for other family members – oftentimes children or other elders – and attend to the demands of life. A Day Away is subsidized by PIH Health. PIH Health’s Community Benefit Department contributes time toward outcomes measurement and evaluation processes, a reportable community benefit expense.

Impact

A Day Away has served hundreds of families since opening in 1999. During 2012, 78 individuals were enrolled with the Center, either part-time or full-time. Due to A Day Away services, 99 percent of families reported that during 2012 they were able to delay consideration of nursing home or other placement for their loved ones. Ninety-four percent of caregivers also reported that their loved one has either maintained or improved health since participating in A Day Away services. In addition, 2012 participant health care utilization data indicate a reduced need for emergency care and hospitalization, when compared with other centers in the region.

Contact: Vanessa Ivie
Director, Community Benefit Development
Telephone: 562-698-0811, ext. 14110
E-mail: Vanessa.Ivie@PIHHealth.org