What is an Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Center (ADCRC)?

The California Department of Aging provides grant funding to thirty six (36) Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers (ADCRC) to provide specialized day programs for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Each ADCRC receives $60,000 annually to target persons in the moderate to severe stages of the disease. By meeting the physical and psychosocial needs of people with Alzheimer's disease ADCRCs can help to prevent acute care costs and nursing home placement. ADCRCs have developed a decade's worth of experience and expertise in community-based care for persons with dementia and caregivers. They have served as a model for other states and continue to serve as model programs in California. ADCRCs are required to:

• Provide support groups and respite for caregivers
• Give expert assessment and care planning
• Offer professional and lay training
• Provide a safe, supervised, structured environment
• Collect data for research
• Increase public awareness
• Innovate

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to:

• Save public dollars by preventing or delaying placement into a nursing home or care in more expensive settings
• Maintain optimal functioning of each individual's physical and mental health over the inevitable course of the disease
• Enable older persons with dementia to remain living at home for as long as possible
• Provide regular respite from 24-hour care responsibility for caregiver

Current ADCRC settings include licensed adult day health and community care facilities and other models approved by the Department of Aging.

Why Are ADCRCs Important?

Without the ADCRC program, most of these moderate to late stage individuals could not be safely served in the community setting. ADCRC programs have pioneered client-centered Alzheimer's/dementia care in the community. Programs have established best practice standards that are shared with others in the field through training and professional conferences. In the existing programs, the ADCRC grant provides funding to augment levels of staffing to improve staff/client ratios necessary for this level of care.

Unmet Need is Great
Thirty six (36) ADCRC sites reside in only 23 counties (24 urban/12 rural). The population of elderly in California is burgeoning. As life expectancy increases, the likelihood of acquiring Alzheimer's disease or other dementias increases significantly. More ADCRC sites are needed throughout the state to meet this growing need.

Grant Criteria & Selection Process
New program proposals are reviewed by experts on the Department of Aging's Long Term Care Committee. Final grant selections are based on how well the applicant meets the grant criteria; demonstrates fiscal viability; and fulfills unmet need priorities. Grants are limited to non-profit organizations.

Current ADCRC programs have not received an increase in funding since 1989.

Technical Assistance Available To Provide Needed Support
The Department of Aging hosts an annual conference to showcase "best practices" and share the latest from experts in pharmacology and Alzheimer's disease research.

For more information, visit the California Department of Aging, or contact CAADS.

California Association for Adult Day Services
921 11th Street Suite 1100
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone:   (916) 552-7400
Fax:  (916) 552-7404
Email:  caads@caads.org