Adult Day Services are programs designed to provide stimulation in a safe environment during the day for adults with physical and mental functional impairment, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. These programs offer an opportunity for social interaction, promote health maintenance, foster independence, provide much-needed respite for family caregivers, or offer family members a safe place for their loved one to stay while they work.

There are three basic models of Adult Day Services:

Provide non-medical care to persons who require personal care services, protective care or assistance with activities of daily living. These social day centers are recreational in nature and accept persons with dementia, but they may or may not accept those who have problems with wandering, incontinence or aggressive behaviors. Services are on a private pay basis.

Formerly known as Adult Day Health Care, these centers provide medical, rehabilitative and social services for adults who are physically or mentally impaired. There is usually a nurse, therapist and/or social worker available. Services may be paid for by Medi-Cal or private pay.

Some centers identify themselves as specializing in providing services to people with dementia; they are usually equipped to handle wandering, incontinence and challenging behaviors. Services may be paid for by Medi-Cal if they are additionally identified as a CBAS, or they are private pay.

Find Adult Day Services Near You

• Call our Helpline: (844) 435-7259

Call for Information

Contact several adult day centers and ask for a brochure, a monthly activity calendar, menu, fee schedule and enrollment information.

Know What to Ask

• Days and hours of operation?
• Is transportation available? How much does it cost?
• What is the cost? Are scholarships or a sliding scale available?
• Number of staff per participant ratio?
• Does the staff receive specialized dementia training?
• Other populations served?
• Are people who wander safely supervised?

Schedule a Visit

• Did you feel welcomed?
• Did someone explain the services and activities?
• Were participants involved in activities, and if not, were staff attentive to these individuals?
• Was the facility clean and pleasant?

Try the Program Out

Select an adult day service center. Try it out for a month. Ask staff for suggestions on how to help your loved one adjust to the new program.

California Association of Adult Day Services

California Department of Health Care Services

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing