Measurement Development for Japanese Clients' Experiences during Adult Day Care Service Use (The J-AdaCa Tool)

Abstract

Adult day care (ADC) is among the most common services in the Japanese long-term care context, but information on how such care is offered remains scarce. This study aimed to develop a measurement tool to assess the richness of clients' experiences regarding their ADC service use. Through a collaboration with ADC administrators and staff, semi-structured interviews were conducted with three ADC clients (in one ADC agency), and a questionnaire survey (17 items about clients' and their families' experiences within ADC) was applied to 360 ADC clients (in 11 ADC agencies). Principle component analysis showed four factors regarding experience of ADC use: "Social participation", "Hygiene and health", "Exercise and eating habits", and "Family support". These positive experiences might be effectively provided if stakeholders refer to clients' needs during ADC experiences, and their effective provision may relate to better care outcomes.