[Daytime admission and day care for the elderly. Current provisions in development]

The last five years day centres for the elderly have been developed on a large scale in the The Netherlands. In this article a number of characteristics of forty day centres is described. By means of a content analysis these characteristics were derived from written reports. There is a considerable variety in the denominations of the schemes, the accommodation that is used, the number of days per week during which the centres are open, the responsible organizations, admission procedures and costs per day. The objectives of the day care schemes are directed towards the visitors, their caregivers and towards the functioning of services as such. Usually visitors come to the day centre once or twice a week. The large majority is 70 years or older, often experiencing psychosocial problems. Besides social-recreational activities, in general an activating and/or therapeutical package of care is offered, in a number of cases together with personal care. Frequently both professional workers and volunteers carry out the work, with or without external support. There are indications of the existence of three types of schemes, varying in professionalism and care that is offered. In the discussion some relevant topics for future research are outlined.