Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital – Whittier, California
S. Mark Taper Foundation’s “A Day Away” Program

What is it?
An adult day health care center affiliated with Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, “A Day Away” provides supervised care for stroke patients as well as those with Alzheimer’s disease and other debilitating medical conditions. “A Day Away” specialized staff consists of a medical director and psychiatrist, a registered nurse, a medical social worker, a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant, speech therapist, occupational therapist, registered dietician, program aides, and recreation leader. Program scholarships and other activities that benefit those most in need are possible through PIH’s commitment to community benefit. The philosophy of PIH is that any adult who needs services can receive them. It is not necessary that the adult’s doctor be affiliated with PIH.

Who is it for?
Residents of southeastern Los Angeles County and portions of Orange County.

Why do they do it?
“A Day Away” is a core community benefit of PIH, built for the purpose of serving area residents, further ensuring that PIH provides “the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”  Adult day health care facilities are a relatively new concept. For that reason, there are not many available and families often do not know where to begin the search for facilities like PIH. The need for adult day health care facilities will only grow as more and more people are living longer. The goal of adult day care facilities is to keep the participant healthy and stimulated and, hopefully, delay having to place them in long-term care facilities prematurely.

Impact: "A Day Away" has been open since 1999 and, since that time has served hundreds of families.  Each year, approximately 50 participants are enrolled – either part-time or full-time. Many families come back after their loved ones have left the facility to offer their thanks “for such caring, supportive staff.”

Contact: Vanessa Ivie
Community Benefit Specialist
Telephone: 562 902-7763 x 5075
E-mail:  vivie@pih.net