§ 63-1-870. Legislative statement of need.

The Oklahoma State Legislature hereby finds and declares that there is an inadequate range of community-based services for frail elderly and disabled adults and that there is an urgent need to establish, support and regulate a community-based system of quality adult day care programs to:

1.  Provide a protective social environment which may include health remedial, restorative and social services designed to maintain maximum independence and to prevent premature or inappropriate institutionalization of functionally impaired elderly or disabled adults;

2.  Provide periods of relief for family caregivers, sometimes called respite care, to enable them to continue caring for an impaired person at home; and

3.  Enable family caregivers to continue gainful employment.