How Much Does Adult Day Care Cost?
Key takeaways:
Senior day care centers provide an array of benefits for older adults, including social interaction and nutritious meals, and offer caregivers an opportunity to take a break.
The cost of adult day care varies widely depending on where you live. One study found that the median national cost in 2023 was $95 a day, though the price can be $400 a day or more. That fee may not include transportation and other expenses, such as meals or special care.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover senior day care, but some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid programs, and veterans healthcare may offer this benefit. Adult day care is typically covered by long-term care insurance and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, known as PACE.
Table of contents
Senior day care centers provide a safe and welcoming space for older adults, with supervision and activities. Structured time away from home can also benefit caregivers. Adult day programs can provide socialization, physical fitness programs, and mental stimulation. Caregivers can take time to attend to personal affairs, earn income, or take a break.
Some older adults need more assistance than others. Some facilities offer services such as medication management and skilled nursing care. These centers may also service younger adults who have conditions, such as moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, that require them to have supervision.
What is adult day care?
Adult day care programs are tailored to individuals with physical or cognitive challenges, particularly older people. Services often include:
Mental stimulation, such as games
Social interactions
Exercise sessions
Meals
Health monitoring
Special events, such as holiday and birthday celebrations
Some programs also offer transportation and medical care.
Adult day care is designed to improve the quality of life for participants and their caregivers. These programs provide support for the caregiver while reducing isolation, loneliness, and depression for participants.
The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) has more than 7,500 affiliated adult day care centers nationwide. Nearly half of participants have dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Whether you need a few hours of supervision per week for an aging parent or daily care while you work, there may be a program nearby that meets these senior health needs.
Respite care: Substitute caregiving or respite care — which can include day care — gives unpaid and informal caregivers breaks to recharge and attend to their own affairs.
Alternative to nursing home care: The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, known as PACE, is a comprehensive service that helps older people age in place and includes adult day care.
More than day care: Sometimes an aging parent requires help beyond home healthcare and day care. Here’s how to help someone who needs more care.
How much does day care for older people cost?
According to Genworth Cost of Care Survey data, the national median cost for adult day care in 2023 was $95 daily. At the facility you choose, there may be added costs for transportation and other services. This program in southwest Florida charges $20 extra daily for transportation.
Here is the cost of adult day care in 2023 in several U.S. regions, according to the survey:
Metropolitan area | Median daily cost |
Atlanta | $90 |
Chicago | $98 |
Dallas | $90 |
Denver | $90 |
Los Angeles | $78 |
Miami | $83 |
Nashville, Tennessee | $173 |
New York City | $105 |
Orlando, Florida | $61 |
Phoenix | $400 |
Seattle | $325 |
Washington, D.C. | $105 |
It’s important to note that a senior day care center can offer more enrichment than a home health aide and can cost less.
PACE
People ages 55 and older may qualify for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This would give them access to adult day care at little or no cost. PACE is available in most states and Washington, D.C., though there may not be a program near you.
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Public senior day care centers
Government-operated and nonprofit senior day care centers at community centers or houses of worship may be available in your area at low or no cost. They also may cost less than for-profit operations. One half-day program in Maryland charges $20 daily, but this fee doesn’t include transportation.
What factors affect the cost of senior day care?
The cost of senior day care is influenced by several factors, including:
Level of supervision and care required
Location
Whether the center is nonprofit
Whether the day care is a half-day or full-day program
Whether transportation is provided
Does insurance cover adult day care?
Health insurance usually does not cover adult day care. Original Medicare doesn’t offer this benefit, but your Medicare Advantage plan might.
Adult day care is a benefit for people who join a PACE program, most of whom are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. It’s important to note that standard Medicaid programs alone rarely cover adult day care. But depending on your condition and location, you may have access to Medicaid-covered adult day care through a special program, such as a Home and Community-Based Services waiver.
Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance typically covers adult day care, or you can add this benefit to your policy. Newer plans usually include adult day care in the comprehensive coverage of long-term care options. Older policies may have adult day care as a separate rider for “home and community care” or may consider the service as a type of “informal care” that may not be covered.
How to save on adult day care
There are several ways you can save money on adult day care, such as:
Shorter stays: Half-day care costs less than a full-day program.
Sliding scale: Some programs offer a sliding scale for fees based on income.
Comparing prices: Consider the fee and program offerings as well as transportation, distance from your home or job, and how much the care enriches the participant. Prices can vary widely in the same area.
Checking for federal government and veterans benefits: Those who served in the military may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Adult Day Health Care program.
Tax savings: Some adult day care expenses may be tax-deductible. You may be able to use flexible spending account or health savings account funds if you are a participant or a caregiver.
Finding senior day care near you
You can find a senior day care center by using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Eldercare Locator or searching for NADSA-affiliated centers with the organization’s Find a Center tool.
You might also be able to get advice from your healthcare professionals. They are often familiar with the services and reputations of adult day care centers in your area. You may find the best fit by touring several facilities before selecting one.
Questions to ask
Some questions you might want to ask day care center staff members and administrators:
Can the center accommodate my loved one’s needs?
Do you charge an application fee?
Do you have an income-based fee schedule?
Do you accept Medicaid, long-term care insurance, Medicare Advantage, or other plans?
What are the credentials of your staff members?
What are your hours? Are you closed on certain days or holidays?
Is there a discount if my loved one stays for a full day?
What happens if I skip a day or add an extra day?
Do most participants have dementia?
Does this facility consider dietary preferences, or is everyone served the same meals? Does an accommodation cost extra?
How much do you charge for transportation?
Do you close if there’s a COVID outbreak or another health emergency?
Is there a waiting list?
Frequently asked questions
Adult day care programs can provide mental stimulation, movement, and socialization for people who are otherwise homebound. This activity is important in reducing the risk of isolation and loneliness, which can affect overall health.
Caregivers can get burned out from spending all their time and energy taking care of another adult. Depending on the caregiver’s stage of life, they may need to earn income and take care of other people. Senior day care gives caregivers time to take a break, attend to their own affairs, and focus on self-care.
Contact the agency that licenses adult day care centers in your state, and review inspection reports if they are online. Typically, your state health agency will have reports. You may also read online reviews and news stories to learn about safety concerns and lawsuits.
The bottom line
Senior day care centers offer many benefits for older adults and their caregivers. For self-pay consumers, the median cost of senior day care in the U.S. is $95 a day, which may not include transportation and meals. Location, insurance, and services needed will affect the cost of your care. You may be able to save money by finding a government-funded or nonprofit center and by using the service for a half day or a few days a week. You may be able to access free or low-cost senior day care if the participant is enrolled in the PACE program or has Medicaid-covered services.
Why trust our experts?
References
Anne Arundel County Maryland. (n.d.). Senior Center Plus.
Arrowood, J. (2021). Medicaid vs. long-term care insurance: Comparing the differences. Investopedia.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. (n.d.) Statewide Medicaid managed care long-term care recipient FAQs.
Genworth. (2024). Cost of care survey.
Hipp, D. (2023). What is adult day care? Forbes Health.
Kiger, P. (2024). Adult day care: What family caregivers need to know. AARP.
Maryland Association of Adult Day Services. (n.d.). Services for families.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Home & community based services.
National Adult Day Services Association. (n.d.). About adult day services.
National Adult Day Services Association. (n.d.). Overview.
Rodriguez, J. (2024). Does long-term care insurance cover adult day care? CBS News.
Sweet Home Adult Day Care. (n.d.). Price/rates for self-pay.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). Geriatrics and extended care.
