Diabetes and adult day health services.

The purpose of this study is to provide a profile of individuals with diabetes who receive services in adult day centers. This exploratory study uses an administrative data set (N = 280) from five programs in central Ohio to examine four areas: demographics, health and mental health, financial and social resources, and disenrollment status. Older adults with diabetes were more likely to be African American and younger than other clients; had more diagnoses, limitations with activities of daily living, and hospitalizations; and were at greater nutritional risk at intake. These older adults also relied more on public funding, primary caregivers from the immediate family, and transportation assistance, and they paid less for participation in the day program. The two groups did not differ in length of program stay or reasons for disenrollment. Adult day centers serve a number of individuals with diabetes with unique needs and risks, providing an important location to test innovative and culturally responsive approaches to disease management. Caregivers are important partners in adult day services utilization and in diabetes management. Targeting public funding for diabetes care within adult day centers is recommended.