Senior Day Services Enrollment

Enrollment
To enroll yourself or a loved one in WMU Senior Day Services, please contact Dawn Robarge at (269) 387-7995 to schedule a tour or enrollment appointment.

If you are interested in attending our program, we encourage you to start by having a short phone conversation to determine if the potential participant fits the profile for which the program is designed. Our goal during the initial telephone conversation is to determine if the individuals level of care needs is beyond our capacity. 

Tour and Trial Visit
We welcome family caregivers and the individual to take a tour of our program. During the tour, we also discuss the care needs of the participant, any challenging behaviors and any other pertinent information to ensure the individual will be a good fit.

The prospective participant is then invited to attend one session of the program as a no charge “trial” visit, with no commitment to enroll. During this shortened day, the prospective participant can spend time at the program and see if they enjoy it. If the client does well in the program and chooses to enroll, a schedule is set, normally for two or three days per week. The family caregiver is assisted in completion of all necessary enrollment information, transportation is arranged, a weekly schedule is made and the participant can begin attending our program.

Eligibility
One of the following conditions must be met for eligibility to attend Western Michigan University Senior Day Services:

• Adults age 60 or older, unless other conditions are present, such as early onset dementia.

• Adults with physical and/or cognitive impairments requiring assistance with activities of daily living and a supervised environment for safety, orientation, behavioral support and reinforcement of the rehabilitative process.

• Adults with a chronic health problem that requires frequent medical monitoring. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, depending on special considerations required for the condition, as determined by a nursing assessment.

Additional requirements for participation:

• Applicant must be under the care of a physician, have a physician’s order for service, and have had a medical examination within the past six months, including a TB skin test or chest x-ray.

• Applicants must have a primary caregiver or another support system to assure attendance at the program.

• Applicants must be responsible for payment or have a sponsor.

• There must be a reasonable expectation that the applicant will be able to participate in and benefit from the offered activities and/or socialization opportunities.

After meeting the above criteria, an intake assessment will be scheduled and the participant, designated power of attorney or guardian will be requested to complete and return the enrollment and consent forms.

Those who would be ineligible for admission to Senior Day Services:

• The applicant or responsible party refuses to be a part of the program.

• The applicant is bedridden or has such limited stamina that he or she is not able to participate in group activities for at least part of the day.

• The applicant has infectious or communicable diseases that may jeopardize the health of other participants.

• The applicant refuses to be under the care of a physician.

• Applicants who are actively alcohol or substance-addicted, including tobacco.

• An applicant with a medical condition that requires nursing care that exceeds the capabilities of the program staff, to be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Those found to be ineligible for admission:

• Will be notified of ineligibility and informed of reasons.

• Will be informed of conditions under which eligibility can be reached.

• Will be given recommendations of options where individuals can be more effectively served.

Eligibility will be periodically re-evaluated to assure that participant continues to benefit from adult day programs.