Adult Day Care Programs

Adult day care programs provide out of home care and supervision for adults with special needs. Adult day care can offer a break for caregivers. It can be very helpful for caregivers who must work during the day.

Adult day care programs offer a safe, secure place for older adults to spend the day. Programs provide supervision, recreation, and meals. Some may offer healthcare and counseling. Some centers provide transportation to and from the center.

People who attend adult day care programs generally have some physical or mental impairment. Over half usually have some type of dementia. Programs are often available to help people in situations such as the following:

• Alzheimer's disease or other dementia
• Parkinson's disease
• stroke
• developmental disabilities
• visual problems
• mental illness
• living alone and in need of social outlets
• have caregivers who work outside the home.

Typically people can attend adult day care programs from 1 to 5 days per week. Some programs also offer the option to attend half days.

Lunch and snacks are served each day. Some programs also serve breakfast. If a person can not take his or her own medicine while at the program, day care program staff may be qualified to give the medicine.

A number of activities are scheduled throughout the day. Activities may include exercises, games, gardening, cooking, discussion groups, art, music, and trips. Some programs provide activities that involve children as well. Programs try to plan activities that are of interest to those who attend. Some adult day care programs have separate activities for men and women.

Medical-type adult day care programs focus on therapies that will improve physical function. This may include physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as medical treatments to manage some conditions.

Adult day care programs may offer any or all of the following:

• extended hours, such as being open from 7 AM to 6 PM. This makes adult day care more useful to the working caregiver.
• overnight care
• hair cuts and other beauty shop type services
• personal care such as bathing, grooming, and foot care
• medical checkups, blood pressure checks, assessments by a nurse, and blood tests
• transportation to and from the program or to medical appointments
• support groups for family caregivers
• support groups for people with Alzheimer's disease
• educational sessions for family members.

Regulation of adult day care programs varies from state to state. Some states do not have any regulations unless the program accepts people with Medicaid insurance. If state regulations are in place, the state usually has assigned this duty to the State Department of Health or the Department of Social Services. The National Council on the Aging publishes suggested guidelines for programs to follow.

Typical costs can range from $30 to $60 a day. Cost depends on the number of hours a person attends the program, outside funding sources for the program, and services offered. There may be an extra charge for some services, such as foot care, hair cuts, and transportation.

Medicare does not pay for day care. Insurance companies may pay for adult day care if the provider states that the older person would otherwise need to live in a nursing home. In some cases, Medicaid may help pay for the cost of day care. Some day care centers charge on a sliding scale based on income. Tax credits may also be available for the care of the elderly.

Choose an adult day care center that provides the proper level of care. A nurse and a social worker should be on the staff. There should be one caretaker for every 4 to 6 adults. The center should provide activities that are appropriate for older adults. Tour the center to ensure that it is clean and safe. Ask about staff credentials and certifications. After you choose an adult care center, plan visits on different days and at different times to be sure the level of care is what you expect.

For further information contact:

The National Institute on Adult Daycare
The National Council on the Aging
409 Third Street SW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20024
202-479-1200 or 800-424-9046