--- title: What Is Adult Day Care? description: Adult day care services support individuals who require help, activities or supervision during the day in a social and safe environment. authors: - name: Bianca Rodríguez Rojas role: Writer url: https://money.com/author/bianca-rodriguez-rojas/ bio: Bianca Rodríguez Rojas was a staff writer at Money who specialized in background checks and other consumer finance topics. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2022 articles: 21 covers: - Insurance - Business - Career Advice - Housing - Identity Theft - Pets social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancaxyz former_staff: true editors: - name: Claudia Rodríguez Hamilton role: Lead Editor url: https://money.com/author/claudia-rodriguez-hamilton/ bio: Claudia Rodríguez Hamilton is a former lead editor at Money, with expertise in personal finance and banking. She began her time at the company as a staff writer, covering topics such as travel insurance, high-yield savings accounts, and personal loans. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2018 articles: 1 covers: - Insurance - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Taxes - Technology social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-rodrguez-hamilton-41661a10b/ former_staff: true - name: Brad Tuttle role: Senior Editor url: https://money.com/author/brad-tuttle/ bio: Brad Tuttle is a former senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals. education: Columbia University School of Journalism, MS at_money_since: 2014 articles: 366 covers: - Insurance - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology social: - https://twitter.com/bradrtuttle - https://linkedin.com/in/brad-tuttle-834b225 former_staff: true expert_reviewers: - name: Joan Pabón role: General Finance and Senior Insurance Editor url: https://money.com/author/joan-pabon/ bio: Joan Pabón was a Money editor specializing in insurance. During her time at Money, she led a team of writers in crafting in-depth articles on a broad range of insurance topics, from life and health to property and casualty insurance. Her work has been featured in well-known online publications such as Yahoo Finance, MSN Money, and the Miami Herald. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2019 articles: 7 covers: - Insurance - Banking - Business - Credit - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Technology social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-pabon-b03b6082/ former_staff: true published: '2024-01-12T15:38:00.000Z' modified: '2024-01-12T15:38:00.000Z' section: Insurance word_count: 1232 canonical: https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![What Is Adult Day Care?](https://money.com/content.money.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/What-is-Adult-Daycare.jpg?crop=0px%2C87px%2C2880px%2C1620px&resize=1012%2C569&quality=85&strip&ssl=1) * * * Adult day care is an outpatient service designed to provide therapeutic activities and specialized care in a safe setting for adults who require support during the day. These care centers encourage guests to participate in activities meant to strengthen physical and mental functions while fostering social interaction among peers. There are also centers that offer more specialized care and attention for individuals diagnosed with serious impairments or cognitive diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Read on to learn more about what adult day care is, the types of centers available and what specific services they provide. ## Table of contents - [What is adult day care?](#What) - [Services provided by adult day care centers](#Services) - [How much does adult day care cost?](#How-much) - [How to find a good adult day care center](#How-to) - [Summary: What is adult day care?](#Summary) ## Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to know that you and your loved ones are financially protected as you age ### Regular health insurance, disability insurance, and Medicare are not designed to cover long-term care costs. Get Long-Term Care Insurance today - select your state to get a free quote. [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/b569008ea8c5?ap_referrer=%2Fwhat-is-adult-daycare%2F&url=%2Flong-term-care-insurance%2Flp%2Fbest-long-term-care-insurance-money) ## What is adult day care? Adult day care programs differ from other services by catering to individuals with disabilities or health conditions that require more hands-on care. Additionally, these programs provide family members or caretakers time to rest from caregiving responsibilities while their loved ones receive proper care. ### Types of adult day care Not all adult day care centers offer the same services and benefits. While some facilities focus on fun daily activities, games and outings to encourage socialization, others specialize in providing more targeted care to assist adults in injury recovery or managing chronic illnesses. There are three main types of adult day care. Here’s a breakdown: - **Adult social day care centers** create a social and fun environment where moderately active adults can engage in activities such as arts, music, games, entertainment, exercises, group outings and celebrations. Social care centers may also provide healthy snacks and meals, along with health screenings, support groups and transportation to and from the location. - **Adult day health care centers** (ADHC) provide services for adults with disabling conditions or those who need hands-on care. These centers employ registered nurses and other qualified healthcare professionals to provide therapeutic services including physical or speech therapy. - **Specialized adult day care centers** cater to adults diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Often referred to as “memory centers,” these facilities employ health professionals trained to prepare and oversee cognitive stimulation activities for their patients. ## Services provided by adult day care centers Adult day care centers are not just places where adults can socialize and take part in activities. These centers offer a range of services, including transportation and meals for clients and valuable support for family caregivers. - **Social activities** - Centers organize activities geared toward the participant's needs and abilities. Activities include group outings, celebrations or arts and crafts aimed at stretching their social and creative muscles. Social activities can also involve playing games like Scrabble or participating in group discussions about movies, books or recent events. Regardless of the activity, the goal is to provide a space for adults to interact with others and stay active. - **Health services** - Adult day care services include health monitoring, administering medications or conducting routine blood, hearing and vision screenings. More specialized care facilities also offer rehabilitation services or therapies to help manage long-term conditions. - **Personal care** - Services also include assistance with daily activities such as using the bathroom and bathing, as well as hair styling, nail trimming, shaving and routine skin care. - **Meals** - Besides helping adults with eating, these facilities also prepare and provide nutritious meals and snacks to meet the specific dietary requirements of participants. - **Transportation** - Some centers provide transportation for group outings, while others may provide transportation services to and from the facility. - **Support for caregivers** - The advantages of adult day care extend to caregivers as well, with services that include counseling, education, support groups and care planning. ## Get the care you will need after age 65 ### 70% of people 65+ will require long-term care. A Long-Term Care Insurance policy makes the process easier by helping you pay for the care you need in your golden years. [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/k696436a32ba?ap_referrer=%2Fwhat-is-adult-daycare%2F&url=%2Flong-term-care-insurance%2Flp%2Fabm-pub-best-ltc-insurance) ## How much does adult day care cost? The cost of adult day care varies by location and depends on the care options, services and activities offered. According to a survey conducted by Genworth, a life and long-term care insurance provider, the average daily cost of adult care is $78 (or around $1,690 a month). However, daily costs can range between $25 and $100 a day, with more high-end facilities charging upwards of $125. ### Does insurance cover adult day care? Private health insurance plans typically don’t cover adult day care because these services extend beyond health care. While Medicare covers some services offered by day care providers, like physical therapy, it doesn’t cover care center fees. Medicaid is an option (see more below), but coverage eligibility will depend on your income. For those who don't qualify for Medicaid, [long-term care insurance](https://money.com/best-long-term-care-insurance/) may be an option. These plans generally cover adult day care services as well as the costs of home care, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. ### How to pay for adult day care There are multiple payment options for adult day care services. One is to pay out-of-pocket. Many families use personal funds, such as savings or retirement accounts, to cover the costs of care. While this method provides autonomy, allowing individuals to choose the center and services they want, it relies on the person already having the funds to pay for care. As the cost of care can be steep and not everyone has the luxury of paying out-of-pocket, here are other options: - **Medicaid** - State and federal Medicaid programs provide waivers to help low-income individuals who need nursing care while residing at home. These waivers are meant to assist eligible individuals in covering adult daycare center fees and care expenses. However, it’s worth noting that Medicaid waivers often have waitlists due to enrollment caps. - **Long-term care insurance** - As mentioned above, long-term care insurance providers offer policies that cover care at home as well as in institutional settings. - **Veterans benefits** - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an Adult Day Health Care program for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA also has aid and attendance benefits that provide an additional allowance to help housebound veterans and their families pay for care. - **Federal Tax Credit** - The Child and Dependent Care Credit helps individuals and families offset childcare or dependent care expenses, making it easier for them to work, attend school or look for a job. ## How to find a good adult day care center You can start your search by asking your primary care physician or a local gerontologist for recommendations. Another way to find senior centers is by reaching out to the [National Adult Day Services Association](https://www.nadsa.org/) (NADSA), which not only provides an eldercare [locator](https://www.nadsa.org/locator/), but also serves as a good source of information on a range of adult day services and caregiver support. When searching for a center, make sure the one you choose offers the medical care your loved one needs along with engaging activities, a social environment and nutritious meals. ## Getting Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to know that you're protected as you age ### Purchasing a long-term care insurance policy ahead of time can help you save on the cost of premiums. Click below to get a free quote. [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/wc89da4f1622?ap_referrer=%2Fwhat-is-adult-daycare%2F&url=%2Flong-term-care-insurance%2Flp%2Fabm-pub-best-ltc-insurance) ## Summary of What Is Adult Day Care? Adult day care services cater to individuals who require assistance or supervision during the day. These centers typically offer a range of services such as meals, recreational activities and support with daily living tasks. Adult day care centers don't just benefit the individuals attending. They offer relief and support to caregivers, enabling them to manage work or personal responsibilities while ensuring their loved ones receive proper care. Consider adult day care if you or a dependent experience a decline in quality of life due to an increasing need for care, support or a structured social environment during daytime hours. ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1402/medium_fWrleDLaHsZEAmRdSdadlEauvRehdv.png) Getting Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to know that you're protected as you age [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/be10e253227a?ap_referrer=%2Fwhat-is-adult-daycare%2F) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Insurance", "item": "https://money.com/insurance/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Long-Term Care Insurance", "item": "https://money.com/long-term-care-insurance/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What Is Adult Day Care?" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/", "name": "What Is Adult Day Care?", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2024-01-12T15:38:00.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/what-is-adult-daycare/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2024-01-12T15:38:00.000Z", "reviewedBy": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joan Pabón", "url": "https://money.com/author/joan-pabon/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/joan-pabon/#author", "description": "Joan Pabón was a Money editor specializing in insurance. 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