Adult Day Care Programs

What are adult day care programs?

Adult day care is a group program that offers physical and social activities, meals, and other care to meet the individual needs of adults with physical or mental limitations.

The purposes of adult day programs are to provide:

• social interaction and mental stimulation
• a break for caregivers
• a safe, secure place to spend the day
• an alternative to living in a nursing home.

Adult day care programs are usually open for several hours during the day. Most activities occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Some programs have extended hours to meet the needs of working caregivers. Most people attend adult day care programs on a scheduled basis.

What are the different types of adult day care programs?

The primary goal of social programs is to provide a variety of activities throughout the day.

Medical programs offer mostly medical treatments with a goal of rehabilitation for the people who attend. Sometimes the programs are specialized, offering care only to clients with specific conditions, such as those with Alzheimer's disease.

Some adult day care programs offer both social and medical programs.

Who attends adult day care programs?

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.

What is there to do at an adult day care program?

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 medication 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 men's and women's programs.

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.

What other services may be offered by adult day care programs?

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

• extended hours, such as being open from 6:30 or 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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.

How are adult day care programs regulated?

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.

What do adult day care programs cost?

Typical costs can range from $20 to $50 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.

How are adult day care programs funded?

Most day care programs are paid for by the people who attend. Currently, Medicare does not cover adult day care. In some states, Medicaid will cover part of the cost of adult day care programs if attending the program helps keep someone out of a nursing home. The adult day care program must be certified to accept people with Medicaid insurance. Often, long-term-care insurance will cover the cost of adult day care programs. Some programs have scholarships available or set their fees on a sliding scale based on income.

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