Official National Adult Day Services Association Directory
Adult day service centers provide a coordinated program of professional and compassionate service within a community center–based milieu. Programs are designed to offer social services, and some health services, to adults in a safe place, outside the home, during the day. In addition, day services afford caregivers respite from their demanding responsibilities.
Adult day centers generally operate during normal business hours, five days a week. Some programs offer services in the evenings and on weekends. Although each center may differ in the services it features, most generally offer the following:
- Social activities: Activities encourage social interaction and relationship building.
- Transportation: Rides to and from home may be either arranged or provided.
- Meals and snacks: Participants are provided with meals and snacks; those with special dietary needs are offered special meals.
- Personal care: Staff helps with toileting, grooming, eating, and other personal activities of daily living.
- Therapeutic activities: A hallmark of adult day services, exercise and mental interaction are offered to all participants.
In general, there are three types of adult day centers:
- Adult day care or social models offer meals, recreation, and some health-related services.
- Adult day health care offers social activities as well as more intensive health and therapeutic services.
- Specialized adult day centers provide services only to specific care recipients, such as those living with cognitive impairments like dementia or developmental disabilities.
Caregivers typically select the type of center a care recipient attends based on the care needed.
Click here to access the official National Adult Day Services Association Directory.
