What Is an Adult Day Care Center (ADCC)

As our loved ones age, they may need more help in their daily lives. Many of us take on the role of caregiver, often while maintaining our full-time jobs and families. But what happens if your loved one needs care while you're at work? 

Adult day care centers can be a solution to this common predicament. Adult day care centers are places where your loved one can get the care they need during the work day. In addition to providing care, adult day cares also offer socialization benefits and structure that other options like home care may lack.

It's estimated that around 250,000 adults utilize adult day care services each year. As more people reach their golden years, the number of people choosing adult day care is expected to grow. 

In this article, we'll cover what adult day care is, the benefits for both patients and caregivers, and how much adult day care costs. We'll also explore how you can tell if adult day care is right for you or not. 

If you already know what adult day care is and want to find an adult day care center near you or your loved one, you can use LTC News's Care Directory tool.

Our search tool includes tens of thousands of listings from across the United States, so you can compare your options and find high-quality, affordable adult day care services close to home.

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What Is an Adult Day Care Center?

An adult day care center (ADCC) is a daytime long-term care facility that provides socialization, personal care, and sometimes medical or therapeutic services. These centers typically operate during traditional office hours, such as 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., to accommodate the schedules of working family caregivers.

Upon arrival, participants are welcomed into a structured social environment with planned activities throughout the day. Similar to senior centers, adult day programs often include engaging group activities, events, and outings. 

However, adult day cares also offer assistance and support with daily living activities, medication management, and supervision. Some may also provide therapeutic services, social work, or medical care for an additional cost, as well as transportation to medical appointments.

At the end of the day, participants are picked up and returned home. This setup is ideal for individuals who have caregivers available in the evenings and weekends or individuals who benefit from daytime structure, social interaction, and supervision.

Benefits of Adult Day Care Centers

Adult day care centers offer numerous benefits for both participants and their caregivers. Some of these benefits include more free time, a structured environment, cost savings, and peace of mind. 

In this section, we'll explore how both older adults and family caregivers benefit from adult day care. 

ADCC Benefits for Older Adults

There are many reasons why adult day centers are great for older adults, including:

• Improved social connections and opportunities to make new friends.

• Opportunities to try new activities, hobbies, games, or arts and crafts.

• Regular outings and events.

• A consistent, structured schedule.

• Readily available nutritious meals.

• Caregivers, nurses, and home health aides on staff during operating hours.

• Transportation services to and from the ADCC and potentially to medical appointments.

• The ability to choose what days to go to an ADCC and what days to remain at home.

• Medication management and health monitoring.

• Help with personal care, such as activities of daily living or supervision.

• A senior-friendly environment with fall prevention and handicap infrastructure.

• Opportunities to exercise in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

• Some ADCCs offer therapeutic services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. 

• Delayed need for more intensive care. Since adult day care offers structured activities, social interaction, meals, and supervision, care recipients may be able to maintain their physical and mental health longer, and delay the progression of conditions or their need for more intensive care. 

One of the biggest challenges older adults face is loneliness. Aging can make it harder to maintain hobbies, leave the house, and stay connected with friends and family. This can lead to isolation, especially for those who live alone or outside of a neighborhood.

Adult day care centers provide a solution by creating a structured, social environment where seniors can connect with peers. Studies suggest that isolation and infrequent social interactions may be correlated to a higher risk of dementia. Socialization may be a key factor in slowing the progression of cognitive decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

ADCC Benefits for Family Caregivers

Adult day care centers are equally as beneficial to family caregivers as they are to care recipients for a number of reasons, including:

• Respite from caregiving responsibilities.

• Improved focus at work.

• More free time to spend on hobbies, errands, family, work, or simply relaxation.

• Reduced feelings of stress or overwhelm.

• Peace of mind that their loved one is taken care of while they're away.

• Guidance from professional caregiving staff may help streamline informal caregiving processes.

• Improved mental health and independence, as the caregiver is no longer tied to and responsible for their loved one at all hours of the day.

• Financial stability, adult day care programs are generally more affordable than full-time care options like assisted living or an at-home caregiver. Family caregivers may also be able to put in more hours at work if they don’t have to leave to care for their loved one during the workday. 

• Improved relationships with their loved ones and time apart can help increase feelings of independence and appreciation.

One of the biggest challenges family caregivers face is burnout. Caregiver burnout happens when an informal caregiver takes on too many roles and responsibilities at once, often juggling their own family, a full-time job, and caring for their loved one all at once.

This combination can be extremely stressful, and most caregivers are the only option for their loved one in need. Since their loved one may have specific needs or concerns, these caregivers may feel strained and responsible for their loved one's well-being with no solution in sight.

However, adult day cares can help relieve informal caregivers of their stress and responsibilities. Because ADCC is only during the day, caregivers may feel more comfortable taking the first step towards trusting professional caregivers.

This can also give both caregivers and their loved ones a transition period to accept extra help, give caregivers a break, while providing peace of mind. It can also be especially helpful for care recipients who are in the beginnings of dementia or Alzheimer's disease and may need more intensive memory care down the road.

How Much Does Adult Day Care Cost?

The cost of adult day care centers will vary depending on location and how often your loved one visits the center. For example, someone who attends adult day care every weekday may pay more than someone who visits once or twice a week. 

Location is by far the biggest variable in predicting the cost of care. Areas with higher costs of living will generally be more expensive than areas with low costs of living. Some rural areas may also cost more due to increased demand and lack of resources in the area. 

The national median price of adult day care in the U.S. is $1,719. You can use LTC News’s Cost of Care Calculator to get an estimate of how much care costs in your area now and a predicted future cost. 

How To Pay For An Adult Day Care Center

There are several options for pay for an adult day care center including Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid. But not all health insurances can help with everything. 

Below we'll explain which types of insurance will cover which services and what your options are if you don’t have any sort of coverage. 

Long-Term Care Insurance Covers The Cost of ADCC

Long-Term Care Insurance is a great option to cover long-term care costs, including adult day care services. 

For those who are unfamiliar, Long-Term Care Insurance covers any custodial or personal care services, such as help with daily living activities or supervision. Policyholders can use LTC Insurance to pay for the entire cost of adult day care (as long as there is money within the policy).

However, there are some caveats. Not everyone can get approved for a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. You have to prove that you're in relatively good health in order to qualify. This means if your loved one does not already have an LTC Insurance policy, they will not be approved for a new policy if they already need long-term care. 

Adult day care can help extend the benefits of a Long-Term Care Insurance policy by reducing the total cost of care while still providing essential services and support.

There are numerous other benefits to using Long-Term Care Insurance to pay for an adult day care center, including:

• Cost-effective: Adult day care is significantly less expensive than full-time home care or residential care in assisted living or nursing homes. Using adult day care services for part of the day can reduce the number of hours or days a loved one requires more costly care, preserving the LTC insurance benefits for longer periods.

• Policy flexibility: Most LTC Insurance policies cover adult day care as part of the broader range of community-based services. Utilizing these services can help maximize the coverage for different types of care while staying within policy limits.

• Supplemental care options: You can combine adult day care with part-time home care or other services. This hybrid approach can lower overall care costs while ensuring your loved one's needs are met, allowing your LTC Insurance benefits to stretch further.

• Reduced elimination period costs: LTC Insurance policies have an elimination period (a waiting period before benefits start). Using affordable adult day care services during this time can reduce out-of-pocket costs before your policy begins paying.

• Caregiver relief: Adult day care provides respite for family caregivers. This allows them to continue providing care at home without becoming overwhelmed or burned out, reducing the need for additional paid care hours and extending LTC Insurance policy benefits. 

If you're interested in learning more about Long-Term Care Insurance, the affordability and tax benefits of LTC Insurance, or need help filing a claim, LTC News can connect you to a trusted, accredited Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist. 

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Does Medicaid Cover Adult Day Care?

Medicaid covers both personal and medical care services. This means that Medicaid provides coverage for adult day care services.

Before we discuss how Medicaid covers ADCCs, we must first provide some background on the Medicaid program. Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program for disabled and low-income individuals, not to be confused with Medicare, which is for the elderly.

In order to qualify for Medicaid, individuals must meet stringent asset and income requirements, which vary by state. You can utilize our state resources page to learn more about Medicaid, LTC Insurance, long-term care, and caregiving in your state.

Most Medicaid recipients can pay for adult day care centers through Medicaid's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program or through a Medicaid State Plan. As we mentioned earlier, coverage varies drastically depending on your state and eligibility, which is why it's so important to look at your state's Medicaid resources page.

We'll start with Home and Community-Based Services, which is a non-entitlement program that allows older adults to receive long-term care services outside of institutional settings. This program includes coverage for adult day care centers, home care services, and other community programs.

However, the drawback to this program is that Medicaid recipients are not entitled to it. There is limited space in the program, especially in high-volume areas, and some recipients may be placed on a waitlist before they can access HCBS.

Secondly, there are also Medicaid State Plans. Unlike HCBS Waivers, State Plan services are entitlements, meaning that all eligible individuals can receive benefits without enrollment caps. However, the financial eligibility criteria for State Plan services are often more restrictive compared to HCBS Waivers.

In addition, only some states include adult day services in their regular Medicaid State Plan. It's important to verify if your state offers this coverage and if an approved Medicaid provider of adult day care is nearby. 

Does Health Insurance or Medicare Cover Adult Day Care Services?

Neither Medicare nor traditional, employer-provided health insurance policies cover the cost of an adult day care center. These types of insurance exclusively cover medical care, not personal or custodial care. 

Adult day care provides non-medical, custodial care services such as help with activities of daily living. Since adult day care centers usually don't offer medical care, they are not included in Medicare or health insurance.

However, if you need medical care services and the adult day care center offers these services as an add-on, Medicare or health insurance may cover only the medical care. 

The only types of insurance that cover adult day care centers for personal care needs, like help with daily activities of living, are Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid. 

How to Cover the Cost of Adult Day Care Without Insurance

Many states offer programs to help older adults and their caregivers find better, more affordable solutions to long-term care. These programs may cover temporary adult day care services as a form of respite care for family caregivers. 

However, programs vary greatly depending on your state and your region. You can reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging to connect with resources close to home. 

Is an Adult Day Care Center Right for Your Loved One?

Adult day care services may be the best choice for your loved one if they feel lonely, isolated, or confined by their long-term care needs. This may also be the best option for caregivers who feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and can care for their loved ones at night but work during the day. 

An adult day care center offers a place for older individuals to enjoy their time and get the care they need in a safe, inclusive environment. These centers are also full of individuals with similar needs and mindsets, making them great places to make meaningful connections and participate in group activities. 

Adult day care may also be beneficial if your loved one is experiencing the beginning symptoms of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

During the early stages, it is critical for your loved one to be in an uplifting environment. Activities that encourage mental stimulation, socializing, a routine, and a nutritious diet can help delay the onset of worse dementia symptoms and improve your loved one's mood. 

Many older adults suffering from cognitive impairments or decline also benefit from supervision. Sometimes, forgetfulness can cause individuals to act irrationally or potentially cause harm to themselves. Things like forgetting to take medication or taking too much of their medication are a serious concern for older adults with memory loss issues. 

Adult day care facilities have staff who can monitor your loved one, help clear up any confusion your loved one may have, and provide a safety net to ensure your loved one is out of danger. They are also one of the only relatively low-cost options for long-term care. 

However, adult day care centers aren't for everyone. ADCCs may not be the best option if your loved one needs excessive help during the day, such as a nursing home level of care. They will not work well for those who have progressed dementia or Alzheimer's, as those individuals would be better suited for memory care (sometimes offered within ADCCs).

ADCCs may also not work well for individuals who don't have a caregiver who can visit regularly. For example, if a caregiver cannot visit regularly after work or lives far away, it may be worth it to consider another type of facility care, such as an assisted living facility or continuing care retirement community. 

These residential facilities can offer help around the clock and relieve stress about being there for your loved one 24/7; however, they can be more expensive than ADCCs. 

Adult day care centers may not work well if the socialization or travel aspects of ADCCs increase anxiety. Leaving home each day and spending it with others may be stressful for some individuals. These people may benefit more from some form of home care service instead of traveling to and from a facility each day. 

Finding an Adult Day Care Center Near You

Long-term care is about finding the right solution for your loved one’s unique needs. While adult day care centers may not be suitable for everyone, they provide a valuable option for those seeking daytime care, support, and community. 

ADCCs offer more than just a safe environment; they create opportunities for socialization, provide essential care services, and promote engagement through structured activities and recreational programs. Some may even offer transportation to medical appointments or to and from the facility. 

Adult day care helps families balance professional and informal care in an affordable way. Care recipients can get the help and supervision they may need each day, while caregivers can get the rest they need to prevent caregiver burnout. This option works especially well for families who may be hesitant to try professional caregiving services or those who cannot cover the cost of a residential long-term care facility.  

If adult day care seems like the best option for your loved one, you can use LTC News's Care Directory tool to find ADCCs close to home.

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LTC News can also help you learn about other long-term care options, including:

• The Long-Term Care Spectrum: From Independent Living to Skilled Nursing – Many types of long-term care services and facilities are available to help individuals in each stage of life. This article explores each option and when it may work best for you.

• What Is an Assisted Living Facility? – Assisted living facilities are residential communities designed for individuals who need help with daily living activities. They resemble apartment complexes and are ideal for those who require long-term care but value having a private living space combined with caregiver support and the benefits of a communal environment.

• What Is an Independent Living Facility? – An independent living facility is a senior community for older adults who can mostly live on their own. These communities work best for those with little to no long-term care needs or those who receive care from a third-party provider and enjoy the social benefits of community living.