EXploring Patterns of Use and Effects of Adult Day Programs to Improve Trajectories of Continuing CarE

This study seeks to understand the impact of Canada's adult day program on attendees and non-attendees, especially those with dementia and other co-morbidities. A retrospective cohort study will be conducted, including older adults in the community who do or do not attend adult day programs in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, Canada. The objectives are to (1) compare patterns of day program use (including non-use) by Canadian province (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba), and time, (2) compare characteristics of older adults by day program use pattern (including non-use), province, and time, and (3) to examine whether those who are exposed to day programs, compared to a propensity-score matched comparison group of non-exposed older adults in the community, enter long-term care homes at later times (primary outcome), are less likely to have depressive symptoms, physical and cognitive change, and have lower use of primary, acute, and emergency care (secondary outcomes).