Adult day care can benefit older adults and their caregivers

Adult day care provides care and social opportunities for someone who cannot be at home alone during the day, or who may need more daily assistance than what their family can provide. In the continuum of senior living options, it serves as a step between having an aide come to the home each day and living full-time in a care facility.

What is adult day care?

A person goes to an adult day care center on a regular schedule during the day and then returns home to sleep in their own bed at night. It's different from respite care, where a person needing care might go just once in a while when their family needs a break.

A benefit of adult day care centers is the opportunity to socialize with others. Adult day care can relieve the isolation and loneliness that many people experience as they age, particularly those with dementia or other ongoing health or mobility issues.

Services offered by adult day care centers

The services offered by adult day care centers can vary, but most provide meals, social activities, physical activities, and recreation opportunities.

They also offer health-related services such as medication management, health screenings, physical therapy, and assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, grooming, and toileting.

Social and recreational activities

The social and recreational activities offered in adult day care centers may include art and music classes, exercise classes, group activities, religious services, and cognitive stimulation programs.

Some also offer transportation to and from the center as well as transportation to parks, music events, and performances.

Who can benefit from adult day care?

Research is limited but suggests that for older people with long-term health conditions, regular structured activities and being with others can enhance quality of life and improve well-being.

Adult day care can also be integral in providing a safe environment for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, by offering organized activities in a secure setting.

Benefits for caregivers

Caring for an older adult with health issues can be physically and emotionally taxing. Adult day care is an option for family caregivers who may be struggling with day-to-day caregiving or dealing with anxiety, frustration, depression, or other health problems.

Adult day care allows family members to remain in the workforce by providing a safe and enriching environment for their loved ones during the day. It also gives them an opportunity to tend to their own needs in order to have the energy and patience to care for their loved one at night.

In addition, many adult day care centers also provide caregiver support such as educational programs, support groups, and individual counseling for families.

Costs of adult day care

According to a 2021 Cost of Care survey from Genworth, a long-term care insurance company, the average cost of adult day care is $2,058 per month.

But this cost can vary widely, depending on the state where you live. In California, for example, the average monthly cost of adult day care is $1,842, while just north in Oregon, where there are fewer centers, the average monthly cost of adult day care is $4,182.

Medicare does not cover the cost of adult day care unless the person has been admitted to hospice care. If your loved one is in hospice, they can stay up to five days at an adult day care center.

While costly, adult day care may be less expensive than other senior housing options.

How to choose the right adult day care center

There are more than 4,100 adult day care centers in the U.S. To choose one the right one, it's helpful to arrange a tour and meet with the staff. Some questions to ask include:

• What are the hours, fees, and services offered?
• What are the minimum attendance requirements and notification policy for absences?
• What types of social and recreational programs are offered?
• Are people with dementia separated from others or included in general activities?
• What types of care professionals are on staff, and how are they screened?
• How are emergency situations handled?
• Is transportation available?

The National Adult Day Services Association offers a website where you can search for an adult day care center near you. Or you can utilize the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.