Adult day care centers let seniors stay active and supervised during the day while family caregivers work or rest. Here is how they work, what they cost, and how to find one near you.
What is an adult day care center?
An adult day care center is a community-based program that provides supervised care, meals, social activities, and often health services for older adults during daytime hours. Seniors return home each evening. There are two main types: social day programs, which focus on activities and companionship, and adult day health care (ADHC), which adds nursing, therapy, and medication management for people with greater medical needs. These centers help seniors stay engaged and safe while giving family caregivers a needed break to work or rest. To compare programs near you, call 1-800-MEDIGAP.
How much do adult day care centers cost?
The national median cost of adult day care is about $100 per day, or roughly $2,167 per month for five days a week, according to the Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Prices vary widely by state and by whether the center offers basic social care or full adult day health care with nursing and therapy. Some programs charge hourly, and many offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Medicaid waivers, Veterans benefits, and long-term care insurance can offset the cost. Our licensed team can help you understand your options - call 1-800-MEDIGAP.
Does Medicare cover adult day care?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover adult day care, because it is considered custodial or non-medical care rather than skilled medical treatment. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans now offer adult day care or related supplemental benefits, and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers cover it in many states for those who qualify financially. Coverage and benefits vary by plan and state. To check whether a Medicare Advantage plan in your area includes day-care benefits, call 1-800-MEDIGAP and speak with a licensed agent.
How do I find adult day care near me?
Start with the Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, your local Area Agency on Aging, or the National Adult Day Services Association directory. When you call a center, ask about licensing, staff-to-participant ratios, medical services, transportation, meal options, and daily cost. Touring in person helps you judge cleanliness, safety, and how staff interact with participants. If a loved one has memory loss, ask specifically about dementia-trained staff and secured areas. For a free, personalized shortlist of options near you, call 1-800-MEDIGAP.
Adult day care vs. respite care vs. rehab
These services solve different problems. Adult day care is ongoing daytime supervision for seniors living at home. Respite care is temporary relief for a family caregiver - it can be a few hours, a day, or a short overnight stay. Rehabilitation (rehab) is short-term medical care to recover function after a hospital stay, surgery, illness, or injury, delivered in a facility or at home. Medicare covers rehab and limited inpatient respite under hospice, but generally not custodial day care. Sorting out which service fits your situation - and what insurance pays - is exactly what 1-800-MEDIGAP helps with.