March 28, 2024

Branstad signs Adult Day Services Bill to benefit Willowbrook, greater Newton community

A new bill signed by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will go into effect on July 1, redefining the admission and retention requirements for adult day services.

The bill was introduced by the Iowa Adult Day Services Association and allows adult day providers to care for a wider range of Iowa’s older adults and disabled. However, the bill retains important safety provisions such as preventing admission of someone physically or sexually abusive, in an acute stage of drug or alcohol addiction, and other problems.

Willowbrook Adult Day Center in Newton is a WesleyLife Adult Day Center and has been operating for nearly 30 years. Margot Voshell, director of Willowbrook, also serves as past president and current board member of the Iowa Adult Day Services Association.

Currently adult day programs turn away about 20 percent of their applicants due to the current admission and retention requirements. In the 2009 Unmet Needs in the Senior Living Program Study, the Iowa Department of Aging found the highest unmet need throughout the state of Iowa was adult day centers.

More people are choosing to remain in their own home and adult day centers provide the necessary services and peace of mind that families need to continue in their caregiver role. Adult day centers are an economical choice as the daily rate is about a third of the cost of institutional care.

Guided by Christian compassion, WesleyLife is enhancing the independence, health and well-being of older adults. WesleyLife’s vision is to transform the aging experience so people live longer, healthier lives. It offers health and wellness services throughout the state of Iowa in our Communities for Healthy Living and homes of its clients.

For more information about WesleyLife, visit www.wesleylife.org.