Types of care
Adult day care
Adult day care is a community program that gives adults supervised daytime care outside the home. Centers offer activities, meals, and sometimes health services. Participants go home at night. The program also gives family caregivers a break during the day. Medicare does not pay for it, but Medicaid and other programs may.
Why it matters for your family
Adult day care suits people who should not be alone all day but do not need a care home. It offers company, structure, and activities. Many centers also give meals, exercise, and basic health services. For a caregiver who works or needs rest, it can be a steady source of relief. Programs vary. Some focus on social activity, while others offer more health care. Visit more than once and ask about staffing, safety, and dementia experience. Cost and coverage differ by state and program. A local Area Agency on Aging can list options.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Related terms
- Respite careRespite care is short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break.
- Dementia careDementia care is support for people with memory loss and other thinking problems that disrupt daily life.
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA)An Area Agency on Aging is a public or private nonprofit agency that a state designates to meet the needs of older adults in a local area.
- Family caregiverA family caregiver is a relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who gives unpaid help to someone with an illness, disability, or age-related needs.
- MedicaidMedicaid is a joint federal and state health coverage program for people with limited income and resources.
- Aging in placeAging in place means staying in your own home as you get older.
