• Contacts/Directions
• Health Department Home
• Clinic Sites
• Health Department A to Z
• About Us
• News and Updates

• ADHC Home
• Center Locations
• Contacting Us
• Photo Gallery
• Upcoming Events
• FAQ
• Links

• Contact Fairfax County
• Complaints and Concerns
• Emergency Alert Sign-up
• "Get Fairfax"
• Jobs
• Library Catalog & Account
• Park Class Registration
• Real Estate Assessments
• Special Needs Registry
• Tax Payments
• ...more Online Services

• About Fairfax County
• Board of Supervisors
• Boards, Authorities & Commissions
• County Executive
• Facilities & Locations
• Public Schools

• Calendars
• Channel 16
• E-mail Subscriptions
• Media Relations
• NewsWire

• Demographics & Data
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Maps
• My Neighborhood
• Virtual Fairfax

• Virginia.gov - The Official Commonwealth of Virginia Web site
• USA.gov - The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal

• Printer
  Friendly
• Text
  Size
• Text
  Only

1. What do I need to do to get my family member admitted/enrolled?
2. Are the Adult Day Health Care Centers licensed?
3. What is your staff to participant ratio?
4. How much does it cost-Fee For Service?
5. Is Adult Day Health Care covered by Long Term Care Insurance?
6. My family member never was a "joiner." How will I get him/her to attend?
7. How many days does my family member need to enroll? Can I drop off my loved one just when I need some respite?
8. Can I drop by at any time to tour the center?
9. Do you provide health monitoring and medication administration during the day?
10. Do you offer support groups for caregivers?
11. Describe the role of the staff members on the interdisciplinary team.
12. What type of activities do you offer?
13. What meals are provided at the center?
14. Do you provide transportation to the centers?
15. What if it snows-do the buses still run?
16. What do participants and caregivers say about the program?
17. Is it possible to talk to a caregiver about their experience with the Adult Day Health Care program? Are references available?
18. Are there volunteer opportunities at the centers?
19. What is the function of the Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Associates?
20. Does the Adult Day Health Center have an Emergency Plan?

2. Are the Adult Day Health Care Centers licensed?
The centers are licensed by Virginia Department of Social Services. We are members of the Virginia Adult Day Services Association (VADSA).

3. What is your staff to participant ratio?
The centers have at least one staff member for every six participants.

4. How much does it cost-Fee For Service?
Fees are based on a daily sliding fee scale ( $15 to $85 per day), which is determined by the client's (and spouse's if married) gross income and 2% of assets excluding residence. Some clients may qualify for Medicaid benefits for Adult Day Health Care services, and many Long Term Care Insurance policies will cover the service.

5. Is Adult Day Health Care covered by Long Term Care Insurance?
Most Long Term Care Insurance policies do cover Adult Day Health Care services. Check your policy to be certain. Often there is a co-pay or required amount of money that must be spent out of pocket before the Long Term Care Insurance begins paying.

6. My family member never was a "joiner." How will I get him/her to attend? What do I do when my loved one says they are just fine at home alone and don't need day care?
We admit clients on a 30 day trial period so that they have time to get to know staff and other participants and we have time to get to know them and their likes/dislikes. Even folks who were never "joiners" usually do adjust to the daily routines and benefit from the stimulation and opportunities for socialization. We never refer to our centers as "day care" because our clients are adults. We refer to our centers as senior centers, recreation centers, Annandale Center, etc.

7. How many days does my family member need to enroll? Can I drop off my loved one just when I need some respite?
We do not provide drop-in respite care. All participants must attend at least two days per week on a regular basis. After that, it depends on your needs, your family member's needs, and the availability of space at the center. Often persons with dementia benefit from the structure and consistency of attending an adult day health care program 5 days per week.

8. Can I drop by at any time to tour the center?
We welcome informal visits at any time. The best time to observe scheduled activities and tour the center is between the hours of 10 AM and 12 Noon and between 1:30 PM and 4 PM.

9. Do you provide health monitoring and medication administration during the day?
Each center has a full-time registered nurse with a BSN who administers medications per physician's orders. Medications to be administered at the center must be provided by the family in a pharmacy labeled container. The nurse also monitors the participants' health status on an ongoing basis.

10. Do you offer support groups for caregivers?
The Adult Day Health Care program provides ongoing support groups and educational programs for caregivers. A Caregiver Conference is held annually to provide learning opportunities and time for networking. Staff is always available to help address specific caregiving concerns.

The support group locations are led by nurses from the centers and are designed to provide an opportunity for caregiver support and networking. You are welcome to attend a support group even if you do not have a family member enrolled in the adult day health care center. Please contact the center of your choice for more information.

11. Describe the role of the staff members on the interdisciplinary team.
STAFF MEMBERS
The Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) team consists of Center Nurse Coordinator, Center Nurse, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Office Manager, Senior Program Assistant, and Program Assistants. All ADHC staff initially receives 40 hours of training specific to Adult Day Health Care and are required to maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

Staff also receive ongoing and mandatory annual training specific to the needs of adults in an adult day health care setting.

Center Nurse Coordinator
The Center Nurse Coordinator is a licensed Registered Nurse with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and extensive experience in geriatric care. He/she is responsible for the overall day-to-day operation of the Center according to State licensing regulations and Health Department policies and procedures. He/she supervises the staff and conducts admission assessment conferences.

Center Nurse
The Center Nurse is a licensed Registered Nurse with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. He/she monitors the health status of the participants and provides ongoing assessments and nursing interventions. The Center Nurse is responsible for administering any medications or treatments that are prescribed by the participant's physician.

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (Recreation Therapist) has a bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy and Leisure Studies. He/she plans and develops the comprehensive daily activity program, based on each individual's social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs. He/she also coordinates and supervises volunteer activities at the center.

Office Manager
The Office Manager provides the overall administrative support to the center. He/she handles telephone inquiries and is responsible for processing the monthly bills to families and arranging Fastran transportation.

Senior Program Assistant
The Senior Program Assistant assists the Recreation Therapist with the development and implementation of the daily therapeutic activity program. He/she assists the other Program Assistants in providing personal care to participants and oversees the set-up, serving, and clean-up of meals.

Program Assistant
The Program Assistant provides the hands-on care of the participants, including assistance as needed with personal care and activities of daily living. He/she assists the Recreation Therapist and Senior Program Assistant in leading the daily activity program.

12. What type of activities do you offer?
The therapeutic activities at the Adult Day Health Care Centers are designed by a certified Recreation Therapist. They are trained to provide recreation activities to individuals with cognitive and physical impairments. The Adult Day Health Care Recreation Therapists use a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and field trip outings to maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the participants.

The activities are selected to help reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover/maintain basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively in order to promote greater independence, and prevent further disability. In the Adult Day Health Care Center the recreational therapists use leisure activities-especially structured group programs-to improve and maintain the participant's general health and well-being.

The Recreation Therapist selects activities based on the abilities and interests of the participants attending the center and they provide a variety of activities that ensure a balance between exercise, rest, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun. In addition, the Recreation Therapists hire outside entertainers and plan seasonal field trips for the participants. The Adult Day Health Care Centers also plan parties and special events throughout the year.

Example of a Typical Day
7:00-9:00 am Table games,art projects, exercise bike.
9:00 am News
10:00 am Morning Circle (Orientation Activity)
10:15 am Exercise/Strength Training
11:00 am Golf (Adapted Sports Activity)
11:00 am Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (Mental Stimulation Activity/Alternate Activity)
12:00 N Lunch
1:30 pm Walking Club
1:45 pm Music and Dancing With DJ (Entertainer)
2:45 pm Trivia Game (Reminiscing Activity)
2:45 pm Inspirational (Alternate Activity)
3:30 pm Art Therapy (Expressive Therapy Activity)
4:30 – 5:30 Table games, art projects, and exercise bike.

Examples of Field Trips
o Tour of the Cherry Blossoms when in Bloom
o Lunch and Tour on the Spirit of Washington
o Trip to a Theatrical Production
o Trip to the National Arboretum
o Annual Adult Day Health Care Dance
o Ice Cream Outings

13. What meals are provided at the center?
Meals at the Center are contracted out to a commercial source which delivers hot meals and snacks daily for all participants plus breakfasts for our early arrivals. The Centers cannot accommodate therapeutic diets but staff will modify the meals served to provide low salt, low sugar and low fat diets if recommended by the participant's physician. If dietary supplements are recommended, families can send in supplies from home which will be labeled for that individual's use.

Our meals (breakfast, lunch and snack) are funded by the Older Americans Act under the Congregate Meal Program. The Area Agency on Aging administers these funds. Although there is no separate charge for the meals, donations are requested to offset the cost of Fairfax County's subsidy for the meals. Sample Menu

14. Do you provide transportation to the centers?
Transportation is provided by FASTRAN if needed and available to your area. The service is a door-to-door service with trained drivers and buses equipped to transport individuals in wheel chairs.

15. What if it snows-do the buses still run?
Unless Fairfax County government is closed, the centers are open regular hours. Bus service, however, does not run when Fairfax County schools are closed or have delayed openings. If you feel that you can safely transport your family member, please call before bringing them to the center so that staff can plan accordingly.

16. What do participants and caregivers say about the program?
Responses made by caregivers in the Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Program annual satisfaction survey:

• "The overall operation is excellent. All services and daily activities have kept my father's interests active. He very much looks forward to his friends and staff members on the days he attends. We are fortunate to have the services provided."
• "The staff is wonderful. Very caring, competent, and dedicated to the health and well being of the participants. I can not speak more highly of any program for seniors and their families than this program."
• "The genuinely courteous, respectful, attentive and friendly attitude which prevails is quite "uplifting" to my wife and greatly appreciated."
• "The support I receive is invaluable. I have somewhere to seek advice about my Dad. The people at the center know him and have knowledge that comes from experience in caring for the elderly. They care about him and also my welfare too. The center makes it possible for my husband and I to care more easily for my Dad in our home because we have respite."
• "The whole program is excellent. It has only been a short period of time that my mother has been attending, but I have such a peace of mind knowing she is being well cared for!!"
• "The execution of the total program is excellent, including therapeutic activities, diet and exercise, health care management and transportation."
• "This Adult Day Health Care Center is the best one I have seen. I am constantly impressed and grateful for the degree of attention, care and love that is shown to my mother. My mother looks forward to going and constantly talks about how wonderful everyone is."

Full Annual Caregiver Survey available at each center.

17. Is it possible to talk to a caregiver about their experience with the Adult Day Health Care program? Are references available?
Contact the center of your choice to request caregiver references.

18. Are there volunteer opportunities at the centers?
We appreciate all volunteers as they enhance our program in a variety of ways. Please visit the Volunteer Solutions website to register.

19. What is the function of the Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Associates?
Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Associates (Associates) is a non-profit volunteer organization of caregivers and others who are interested in supporting the Fairfax County system of adult day health care centers and are advocates of adult day health care for adults in Fairfax County. Their primary function is to administer donated funds, in order to supplement and enhance the program for the participants in the various centers. As a tax exempt organization they are in a position to accept donations to help the Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Centers. Donations have enabled them to provide items that enhance the lives of the participants. The Associates are also involved in community relations, as the need or opportunity arises, as well as advocacy and fund raising activities.

The Board of Directors, most of whom have or have had family members participating in a Fairfax County Adult Day Health Care Center, have found that certain additional and special needs of the participants can be met by a non-profit volunteer group.

If you desire additional information or would like to make a donation, please contact one of the Adult Day Health Care Centers. You are invited to join them.

20. Does the Adult Day Health Center have an Emergency Plan?
Each Adult Day Health Center has an Emergency Response Plan that has been designed specifically for that facility, and for all types of emergencies. Staff is trained and have regular practice drills in a variety of emergencies to maintain proficiency, and ensure the safety of the participants in the event of an emergency.