Adult Daycare Centers

Traditionally, an adult daycare center is a non-medical, non-residential center supporting adults' social, medical, nutritional, and daily living activity needs in a professionally staffed, group setting. These facilities provide seniors with transitional care and short-term rehabilitation following hospital discharge. You can sign up for one day a week, five days a week, or just come in as you need to.

When to Consider Adult DayCare. According to the National Adult Day Services Association and the AARP, one might want to start looking into daycare when they start to see the following signs:

The senior can no longer structure their own daily activities
There is a concern

Here is a breakdown of the various types of settings and services you might find.

Social Day Service Settings

These programs usually offer nutritious meals, snacks, personal care, socialization, exercise, recreational activities, outings, and educational programs. These settings are often informal, and, typically, the care recipient attending these facilities is very independent.

Medical Day Service Settings

These programs are often housed and sponsored by hospitals or nursing facilities, or you will find free-standing centers. Medical and/or non-medical personnel are available at all times. Staff may include on-call physicians and nurses, therapists, social workers, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), personal care workers, drivers, and program directors.

Specialized Day Service Centers

These settings are appropriate for patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. They offer a safe and stimulating environment and provide socialization activities and outings.

Shopping for Adult Service Care

The first step is to determine the primary need of the senior and then consider the following important aspects of adult daycare:

Do they provide round-trip transportation?
Are they licensing for administering medicine and medical procedures?
What are the professional qualifications of the staff?
Do they have a schedule of activities?
Do they have nutritious menus that meet the needs of the client?
Do they have competitive prices for services offered?
What payment source do they take? – Is it a county or charity facility? Is the senior's income low enough to qualify for assistance? Will the long-term care insurance company accept this as a reimbursable expense? Does the facility accept Medicaid? Or Veteran Benefits?
What is the staff to client ratio?

Daycare Costs

According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, costs for adult daycare can range from as little as $25 to more than $100 a day, depending upon factors such as what services are offered. The average cost is just under $70 a day.

Unfortunately, Medicare typically doesn't cover the fees. However, many may be eligible for financial assistance through other government programs, such as Medicaid, the Veterans Health Administration, and other state agencies. That means adult daycare may be a more affordable option for caregivers seeking help and respite than hiring a worker to provide in-home care.