Adult Day Care Program Closure Displaces Patients, Workers

The impending termination of an adult day care program at Pinole Senior Village is raising questions for patients' care and its service providers' job security.

According to a story published in San Jose Mercury News, amidst a down economy, low attendance rates and diminishing finances, the decision was made to end the long-standing program when the program terminates at year-end.

Alena Falcon, the adult day care director said many of her patients have already started looking for new places to receive care, however, she, like other service providers are facing the systemic prospect of unemployment.

"All of us directors have been brainstorming how to get our numbers up, so it's not just here," Falcon said.

According to the Mercury News:

"The adult day care program has lost money for years, prompting the unfortunate but necessary recent decision to phase it out, said Peter Murray, a member of the governing board and also a Pinole councilman."

Falcon believes she will find a new job soon; she's already had interviews with neighboring care facilities.

Indeed, Guardian Adult Day Health Care Center will be admitting new patients and is prepared and licensed to hold up to 90. The center currently has on average about 50 or so patients, said Peter Behr, administrator of the facility since 1994.

Behr explained he had already been talking to Falcon and was aware of her employment status.

"She basically said her boss decided (the facility) wasn't making enough money to support the program anymore, so he decided to close it," Behr said.

Behr said his program has already picked up a couple of the Pinole attendees.

Falcon explains the service can be expensive for patients or loved ones. She said she could remember the care facility giving care to twice as many people within the last three years. On average, the services can cost as much as $1,000 per month. Further, family members have taken on the responsibility of caring for their elderly loved ones instead. 

"We think it's the economy," Falcon said. "(Family members) will continue to try to find ways to keep their senior loved ones stimulated."

"There are a lot of physical and emotional aspects to it."

In the meantime, Falcon will continue to search for a new job while she finishes out her time in her current position.