Douglas County Senior Services adult day program staff and seniors participate in a game of bowling in January 2008. As the nation's aging population grows, so has demand for adult day services that can delay the expense and loneliness of elderly home-based care.

Karen Crusinbery, Lawrence, left, and her mother, Arleen Crusinbery, visit with Barbara Little, program manager of the adult day program at Douglas County Senior Services. The program offers activities for seniors during the day while their family or other caregivers may be at work.

Karen Crusinbery’s life changed drastically three years ago when her 85-year-old mother, Arleen, was diagnosed with dementia.

Karen Crusinbery moved her mother into her home – that wasn’t a problem, because her home was big enough for two. She found caregivers to help Arleen while she went to work during the day. But the physical and emotional toll still added up.

“On my day off, I was I the caregiver,” Karen Crusinbery said. “I did not have a day off.”

Crusinbery’s challenge isn’t unique, not while America’s aging population drastically increases. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently conducted a study that indicated that the older population will increase dramatically between 2010 and 2030, with baby boomers turning 65. That’s 70 million older adults by 2030.

Douglas County Seniors Services was able to help Crusinbery by connecting her with its adult day services program, a growing need throughout the United States.

The National Adult Day Services Association defines an adult day service as a place that provides community-based care for frail elderly and disabled persons 16 and older with special needs. According to NADSA, there are more than 3,500 adult day centers in the U.S. serving more than 150,000 participants, with the average age of participants at 72.

Douglas County Senior Services currently provides a social model adult day program, though it’s not yet big enough to serve every applicant.

“There are around 11 free-standing adult day services in Kansas. DCSS is one of them,” said DCSS Executive Director John Glassman. “We get calls asking us to provide services for frail elderly, but we do not have the space to accommodate everyone.”

Judith Bellome, chief executive officer for Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice, is a member of the National Adult Day Services Association board.

“Adult day services not only keep people in their homes and communities with family and friends, it also prevents them from being institutionalized,” she said.

Bellome said adult day services were far more affordable than home health care. The national average daily cost of adult day services is $55-$65, and “that’s a bargain,” she said.

DCSS is planning an expansion to serve more elderly clients as needed.

“As Lawrence and Douglas County is increasingly seen as a great place to retire, the need for new services to support this growth is taking place,” Glassman said.

His plans include:

¢ Securing a larger space

¢ Upgrading the DCSS license and expanding the program participation from 14 to 25 clients.

¢ Adding services such as physical therapy, speech and occupational therapy, nursing services and transportation.

¢ Educational programming for caregivers.

DCSS Adult Day Program Manager Barbara Little describes her program as a place that’s safe and comfortable for older adults to come and have a good experience. Respect of self and others is highly encouraged.

“I want them to have choices while maintaining their dignity,” Little said. “By the time a caregiver seeks services, they may have already passed the stage for a social model adult day service program and are heading into the medical model or nursing home placement.”

The ideal program, according to Little, is one with adequate space for both social and medical models, offering simultaneous activities and giving participants more of an opportunity for personal freedom.

As for Crusinbery, she’s relieved that she’s found such a program for her mother, who takes part in activities at DCSS and spends the day with friends.

“My day off is my ‘Me Day,'” Crusinbery said.