Agenda - 05-20-2003-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Background Establishing an adult day health program was one of the top priorities (Goal III-A, c1-3) of the Master Aging Plan for Orange County approved by the County Commissioners on March 6, 2001. In November, 2001, the Board of County Commissioners approved the adult day health initiative and set aside $40,000 to plan and implement the adult day health center. Apart-time planner was hired to direct the necessary planning and oversee the renovation of the Meadowland's Drive site location in Hillsborough. Specific tasks that had to be addressed before the doors could open were: facility design requirements, furniture purchase, health and facility inspections, program policies, sliding fee schedule, funding support, staffing contracts, marketing and networking, food and transportation service and local and state certifications. From the beginning, it was agreed that the Adult Day Health Center Initiative would be a community partnership, not an on-going county program. Anon-profit agency would be formed to take over the adult day health program as well as operate other programs identified in the Master Aging Plan that serve the frail and disabled older adults. The primary justification for such a program in the long term care continuum is that Orange County did not have an adult day health program nor is there one in neighboring counties. Secondly, the Master Aging Plan identified that: (1) the increase of the senior population 60+ for Orange County will be over 128% by 2020, and over 235% of the 95+ (2) that more older adults are expressing a desire to remain 'in their homes -"Age in Place" as long as possible; (3) that caregiver are shouldering the burden of caregiving with little respite; and (4) that an adult day program is a more cost-effective measure than other options along the long-term care continuum. The Program The Adult Day Health Program provides social and health services to frail, disabled and isolated older adults. Stimulating activities and enriching programs and nutritious meals and snacks and rehabilitative services are all under one roof. The center will also provide respite and education for the participant's families and caregivers, giving them amuch- needed break and support from the responsibilities of caregiving,. These objectives serve the main goal of the program, which is to prevent or delay the onset of institutionalization of the participants. The Adult Day Health Program is located next to the Central Orange Senior Center at 515 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, N.C. It has 1,000 square feet of space and daily can accommodate 10 full-day slots per day, or 20 half-day slots. This does not affect the number of individuals that can be enrolled in the program, as some may elect to come