Caring for an aging parent or spouse at home can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. Many families feel trapped between two difficult choices: continue providing care 24/7 or move their loved one to an assisted living facility or nursing home.
What if there was a middle option?
Adult day care provides supervised care during daytime hours while allowing seniors to return home in the evenings. This service helps many Jacksonville families keep their loved ones at home longer while giving caregivers much-needed breaks.
What Is Adult Day Care?
Adult day care centers provide structured programs of activities, health services, and social interaction for seniors in a safe, supportive environment during daytime hours. Unlike moving to a facility, seniors return to their homes each evening.
These centers typically operate Monday through Friday during business hours, though some offer weekend or extended hours. Most centers provide transportation to and from the facility, making it convenient for working caregivers.
According to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, adult day care centers in Florida must be licensed and meet specific standards for staffing, programming, and safety.
Types of Adult Day Care Programs
There are three main types of adult day care, though many centers offer a mix of these services:
1. Social Day Care
These programs focus on social activities, meals, recreation, and some health services. They’re ideal for seniors who:
- Are mostly independent but need supervision
- Want more social interaction
- May be isolated at home
- Need structured activities during the day
Activities might include arts and crafts, music, games, discussion groups, and gentle exercise classes.
2. Adult Day Health Care
These centers provide more intensive health services along with social activities. They’re appropriate for seniors who:
- Have chronic health conditions requiring monitoring
- Need medication management
- Require therapy services
- Need help with personal care
These centers typically have nurses on staff and may offer services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health monitoring.
3. Specialized Day Care
Some centers focus on specific conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These programs offer:
- Specialized activities for memory impairment
- Staff trained in dementia care
- Secure environments to prevent wandering
- Lower staff-to-participant ratios
Choosing the right type of day care program depends on your loved one’s needs and health status. Many Jacksonville centers offer a mix of these services, allowing them to meet a wide range of care needs in one location.
Benefits of Adult Day Care
Adult day care offers advantages for both seniors and their caregivers:
For Seniors
- Provides social interaction and reduces isolation
- Offers structured activities that stimulate mind and body
- Creates routine and predictability
- Provides nutritious meals and snacks
- Offers health monitoring by trained staff
- Allows seniors to remain living at home
For Family Caregivers
- Provides respite from constant caregiving
- Allows caregivers to work, run errands, or rest
- Reduces stress and caregiver burnout
- Delays or prevents nursing home placement
- Costs significantly less than in-home care or facility care
- May improve relationship quality by reducing caregiver stress
These benefits make adult day care worth considering for families who want to keep their loved one at home but need support during the day.
How Much Does Adult Day Care Cost in Jacksonville?
Adult day care is one of the most affordable care options for seniors. In Jacksonville, costs typically range from:
- Average daily rate: $65-$85
- Monthly cost (5 days/week): $1,400-$1,800
This is significantly less expensive than:
- In-home care: $20-30 per hour ($3,200-$4,800 monthly for 40 hours/week)
- Assisted living: $4,000-$5,500 monthly
- Nursing homes: $8,500-$13,000 monthly
Actual costs vary based on:
- Services provided
- Hours of attendance
- Transportation needs
- Additional specialized services
Many centers offer flexible scheduling options, allowing families to use services 2-3 days per week to reduce costs further.
Who Pays for Adult Day Care?
Unlike nursing homes, adult day care typically isn’t covered by traditional health insurance, but several funding sources can help:
1. Medicare
Traditional Medicare doesn’t cover adult day care, but some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage as a supplemental benefit. Check with your Medicare Advantage provider for details.
2. Medicaid
Florida Medicaid may cover adult day health services through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC). This program helps eligible seniors receive care while remaining at home.
To qualify, seniors must:
- Meet financial eligibility requirements
- Need nursing home level of care
- Be approved for the SMMC LTC program
The Berg Bryant Elder Law Group can help families determine if they qualify for this program and guide them through the application process.
3. Veterans Benefits
The VA offers the Adult Day Health Care program for eligible veterans. This benefit may fully cover the cost of adult day health care. For information, contact the Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic at (904) 475-5800.
4. Long-Term Care Insurance
Some long-term care insurance policies cover adult day services. Check your policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage.
5. Private Pay
Many families pay out-of-pocket for adult day care. Some centers offer sliding scale fees based on income or financial assistance programs.
When it comes to paying for adult day care, early planning matters.
Adult Day Care vs. Senior Centers: What’s the Difference?
Adult day care is sometimes confused with senior centers, but they serve different purposes:
| Adult Day Care | Senior Centers |
| Designed for seniors who need supervision or care | Designed for independent, active seniors |
| Provides personal care assistance | Typically no personal care services |
| Staff trained to assist with health needs | Limited or no health services |
| Structured programming throughout the day | Drop-in activities with flexible participation |
| Usually requires enrollment and regular attendance | Open to community seniors on drop-in basis |
| Fee-based service | Usually free or low-cost |
| Transportation often provided | Transportation usually not provided |
Senior centers are excellent resources for active, independent seniors, while adult day care serves those who need more support and supervision.
FAQs About Adult Day Care
What is another name for adult daycare?
Adult day care may also be called adult day services, adult day health care, or adult day program. Centers specializing in memory care might be called memory care day programs or dementia day care. Oftentimes, our elderly clients will not like this term, so you may choose to call it something else if you were to discuss it with them.
Does Medicare cover adult day care?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover adult day care. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer limited coverage as a supplemental benefit. Always check with your specific plan for details.
Does the government pay for adult day care?
Yes, in some cases. Medicaid may cover adult day health services for eligible low-income seniors through Florida’s SMMC LTC program. The VA also covers adult day health care for eligible veterans.
How often can someone attend adult day care?
Attendance is flexible based on family needs. Some participants attend five days a week, while others attend 2-3 days a week. Most centers allow families to choose a schedule that works for them.
How Berg Bryant Elder Law Group Can Help
If you’re considering adult day care for a loved one in Jacksonville, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, we help families plan for care costs and access benefits that can help pay for adult day services.
Our attorneys can:
- Help determine if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid or VA benefits
- Assist with benefit applications and appeals
- Create legal plans to protect assets while qualifying for benefits
- Connect you with quality adult day care providers in Northeast Florida
Contact our office to discuss how adult day care might fit into your loved one’s care plan and what benefits might help cover the costs.
Author Bio
Kellen Bryant, Esq.
Founder
Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, Kellen Bryant focuses his law practice on advising and helping caregivers with a particular focus on asset protection and preservation from long-term care costs, creditors, and predators. Kellen Bryant is AV Preeminent® Rated, meaning his attorney peers rated him at the highest level of professional excellence. Kellen Bryant was nominated and selected as a Super Lawyer, Rising Star: 2022.
