Adult day services are provided at adult day centers. At these centers, people with functional and/or cognitive impairments receive services designed to meet their needs, based on an individual plan of service. Participants socialize, eat nutritious meals, and sometimes receive health services. They return home each night.

What are adult day care services?
Adult day services can provide respite for caregivers as well as ongoing services. Services are provided in a variety of centers. Social, recreational and health services are provided in a protective setting to individuals who cannot be left alone because of health care needs, confusion, or disability. These programs provide meals and services in a community setting during the day when a caregiver needs time off or must work. There are three types of adult day services in California:

• • Adult Day Program (ADP),
• • Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), and,/li>
• • Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers (ADCRC), which provides specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

To learn more about the differences between these models, read the side-by-side overview provided by the California Association for Adult Day Services. The licensing authority in California for ADP is the California Department of Social Services. The California Department of Public Health licenses ADHC. Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers may be licensed either in an ADP or ADHC setting.

What should I look for in an adult day center?
When selecting an adult day center, ask about what services are provided and who provides them. Visit the center several times and speak with staff or attendants. Before you contact a center, you may wish to print a copy of Adult Day Services Checklist, which provides detailed questions to help you evaluate and compare adult day centers.

How do I pay for adult day services?
Adult day services can be a cost-effective way to receive beneficial services and to interact with peers. Some long-term care insurance policies cover adult day services, but recipients may pay for adult day services themselves. Some adult day programs offer services at low-cost or on a sliding scale fee. Medicare and Medi-Cal may also cover adult day health care.