When the grandmother of Kathryn Holt moved in with her family after several hospitalizations and months in a skilled nursing facility, Kathryn had to quickly learn about resources needed to be the primary caregiver of an elderly family member. Her grandmother was semi-ambulatory, but required considerable help to just do the basic tasks of living. She found that Ramona had an adult day care center. It turned out to be the perfect solution - her grandmother continued to live at home, but she spent four to six hours a day in a stimulating environment.

When Kathryn and her family moved to Scripps Ranch, she was disappointed to learn that no similar program existed for her grandmother. It was necessary to hire a CNA as well as other regular caregivers. Kathryn resolved that some day she would open an Adult Day Health Care Center to serve her new community. Her vision became a reality when the Poway Adult Day Health Care Center opened in June, 2002.

The cost and benefits of adult day services compare favorably with other programs. Assisted living facilities typically cost $2,500 to $4,000/per month plus an additional $500/per month for the personal nursing and hygiene services. Home health or nursing aides cost from $16.50 to $22/an hour with a four-hour minimum. The disadvantage is that there is little socialization if the elderly person is at home alone during the day.

The major financial advantage of an Adult Day Health Care Center is that the cost is about $8.14/an hour for day care and $10/an hour for health care, which includes occupational, physical, speech therapy if prescribed, along with constant nursing care by a registered nurse. Most important, however, is the social/emotional benefit that the elderly experience from the day programs when they interact with new friends while engaging in mind-stimulating activities. Many families report how much happier their elders are and how much they appreciate the four to six hours of respite they receive. Kathryn Holt made a major contribution to the north county communities by opening the Poway Adult Day Health Care Center.