Providence Health Care – Providence Adult Day Health

Spokane, WA
December 2017

Overview
For more than 35 years, Providence Health Care’s Providence Adult Day Health (PADH) has filled a special need in our community by providing adult day care for seniors whose lives have been challenged by disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, injuries, or the frailties associated with aging. About 75 percent of PADH participants have some type of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The program provides a secure, caring environment in which PADH participants receive rehabilitation services, nursing care, health monitoring, and the opportunity to socialize and live independently. By stimulating minds, strengthening bodies, nurturing spirits, and respecting dignity, PADH helps participants achieve their maximum abilities.

Medical and rehabilitative services are wide ranging (wound care, catheter assistance, exercise classes, diabetic intervention, fall-prevention training, injections, etc.). Recreational and social activities add variety and fun (pet therapy, arts & crafts, gardening, holiday and birthday celebrations, veterans’ recognition ceremony, etc.). PADH also provides much needed respite for caregivers, allowing loved ones the opportunity to care for their own physical, emotional and spiritual health. Support groups for caregivers are also offered. The program is unique within the Providence Health & Services system, of which PHC is a part. PADH operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with extended hours available on a case-by-case basis. Average attendance is two days a week.

Impact
On average, 50 to 55 participants are served on any given day at PADH. Over the course of a year, more than 13,000 visits to PADH are tallied by participants. The impact is profound for these individuals, approximately 75 percent of whom are low-income seniors who are able to participate only because of PADH’s sliding-fee scale for those who qualify. Some participants pay as little as $9 a day because of limited financial resources.

Lessons Learned
Engaging seniors in meaningful, fun, and healthful activities on a regular basis extends their quality of life, delaying and sometimes even preventing the need for a higher level of care. Respecting the dignity of each individual is fundamental at PADH. In a society that often doesn’t “see” or “hear” its elders, PADH is providing a vital service, serving especially low-income seniors whose lifestyle choices at this stage of their lives are very limited.

Future Goals
PADH’s facility was built specifically for the program in 2000. The building offers room for expansion into the lower level, which will enable PADH to increase not only the number of individuals served but also the space needed to expand programming. PADH is exploring how to best make use of the space. Ideas include: establishing a PACE health program (Medicare/Medicaid) for the elderly; creating a children’s daycare, which would include offering programs that bring elders and youngsters together; creating an entertainment space for visiting performers; and adding more exercise and arts & crafts classrooms.

Contact: Joyce Cameron
Chief Development Officer
Telephone: 509-474-7230
Email: joyce.cameron@providence.org