When compared to the cost of alternative care options, adult day care is a viable option for many families. A significant portion of seniors (those 65 years of age or older) require long-term care. It’s no secret that any medical care is expensive these days, but did you know that you can save money by providing adult daycare for your elderly or otherwise disabled relative?
Social care and health care are the two main divisions in adult daycare. Both typically offer meals, social interactions, and fundamental medical care. Adult daycare only involves more medical services, such as dispensing medications or treating health conditions like dementia.
Below, we take a look at how costs vary depending on where care is provided, how costs are expected to rise in the future, and how older adults and their families will cover the cost of care.
What is An Adult Day Care?
Adult day care, also known as adult day services, offers older adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other health conditions a supervised community setting so they can spend the day at home safely. Programs usually include activities for mental and physical stimulation, such as games, exercises, art and more.
“The two primary purposes of adult day care centers are to provide adults, particularly frail elders, with medical, health or functional support and to allow caregivers to work at a regular job while receiving care for their family member,” says Gerontologist Elise Eifert, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and the graduate coordinator for gerontology at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.
There are three main types of adult day care:
- Adult social day care provides planned social interactions, exercise and other activities appropriate for the person’s condition(s) and capabilities.
- Adult day health care provides social activities along with some health and therapeutic services, such as physical or occupational therapy.
- Specialized adult day care is designed for adults with Developmental disabilities, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
How Much is Adult Day Care?
Nationwide Average Costs
Most people who visit adult day care facilities will spend between four and 12 hours per day there, up to five days per week. Adult day care centers are frequently used by families as a respite care option, giving caregivers time to work, concentrate on their families, or unwind. Caregivers can really prevent burnout with the help of this break from caregiving.
Plus, for many families, adult day care is the most affordable type of care. Adult day care costs, on average, $78 per day, which is significantly less than the comparable costs of homemaker services ($163), in-home health aide care ($169), assisted living ($148), and residential nursing homes, which start at $260 for a semi-private room and go up to $297 for a private room.
Of course, it’s still crucial for senior citizens and their families to conduct research to determine which facilities in their area are the most reasonably priced. Pay close attention to the fee schedules as well. Others offer flat rates, while some facilities charge by the hour.
Comparison With Other Services
| Care Type | National Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Health Care 8 hours per week | $693 |
| Adult Day Care Weekdays only | $1,492 |
| Assisted Living | $3,600 |
| Homemaker Services 44 hours per week | $3,721 |
| Home Health Care 44 hours per week | $3,813 |
| Nursing Home Semi-Private – double occupancy room for one person | $6,692 |
| Nursing Home Private – single occupancy room for one person | $7,604 |
Given these figures, it is not surprising that adult day care and in-home care are becoming more and more popular. Services for adult day care are another choice that can lower the cost of long-term care. Compared to nursing home costs, these rates and the rates for in-home services have increased less. The rising costs of services are likely to make your job challenging, whether you’re trying to plan for your financial future or you’re assisting a loved one in selecting a long-term care option. Finding the financial resources to cover these costs requires foresight and careful financial planning. You should think about an aggressive savings plan and discuss long-term care insurance options with a professional in addition to determining what government benefits are available for care.
Is Adult Day Care Covered by Insurance?
Medicare typically does not pay for the cost of adult day care. You might be eligible for government programs that cover the cost of adult day care, depending on the health and financial situation of your loved one. Reimbursement programs that might pay for adult day care may include some state Medicaid programs and the Adult Day Health Care program offered by the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs.
Benefits of Adult Day Care
The primary advantage of adult day care is delaying or avoiding the transition to a long-term residential care facility so older adults can continue living at home or in the community for as long as possible. Benefits of adult day care can also include:
- Social activity and companionship, can bolster mental and physical health
- A safe, secure setting for adults with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or mobility issues who could wander from home, fall or injure themselves if left alone
- Reduced caregiver stress, burnout, anxiety and depression
- Enhanced sleep quality as a result of consistent exercise and social activities
- Reduced risk of falls with exercises that strengthen muscles and improve balance
Conclusion
Seniors who are homebound and lonely and need socialization and some physical activity are the perfect candidates for adult day care, especially if they have cognitive impairments like dementia. Due to cognitive and/or mobility limitations, participants in adult day care programs frequently find it difficult to plan and manage their daily activities on their own. Adult day care is not very expensive compared to other care programs, so please choose the right service for your needs.
