Guide
Adult day care: what it is, what it costs and how to pay for it
Updated October 15, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources
For many Latino families, an adult day center is the ideal middle ground: mom or dad keeps living at home with the family, but during the day they have company, activities and someone keeping an eye on their health. And the person who provides care can go to work, run errands or simply rest for a few hours. This guide explains the types of centers, who they're for, what they cost and how to pay for them.
What an adult day center is
It's a place that welcomes adults, mostly older adults, during daytime hours, usually Monday through Friday. A person can go every day or only on some days, for a full day or half a day. Many centers offer round-trip transportation.
A typical day includes meals, gentle exercise, games, music, arts and crafts, and conversation.
It's not the same as a senior center, where people go on their own for activities or meals, without supervision or personal help. An adult day center does provide care and supervision.
The two main types
| Social adult day care | Adult day health care | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | People who need company and supervision and whose health is stable | People with chronic conditions, dementia or a disability who need more care |
| What it offers | Activities, meals, basic personal help | All of the above, plus nursing; physical, occupational or speech therapy; and social work |
| Staff | Activity staff and aides | Also nurses, therapists and a social worker |
| How it's paid for | Most often privately; sometimes Medicaid or local programs | Most often Medicaid, PACE or the VA |
Some centers specialize in people with Alzheimer's or another dementia, with secure spaces and activities designed with memory in mind. If that's your situation, also read memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia.
Who it's a good option for
An adult day center may be a good fit if your loved one:
- Spends many hours alone while the family is at work.
- Feels isolated or sad, or no longer leaves the house.
- Has mild or moderate dementia and needs supervision, but still enjoys being with other people.
- Needs help eating, taking medicines or using the bathroom during the day.
- Is recovering and would benefit from regular therapy.
It can also help if you, as a caregiver, need a break. Adult day care is one of the most common forms of respite care; read how respite care works.
If your loved one needs care at night, has behaviors that require constant one-on-one supervision, or needs complex medical care all day, another option may be needed. Compare in types of senior living and care options and home care for seniors.
How much it costs
According to CareScout's Cost of Care Survey 2025, the national median for an adult day center is $95 a day, about $2,058 a month if the person goes 5 days a week. It's one of the most affordable care options, especially compared with a nursing home, which costs a median of $315 a day for a semi-private room.
Daily medians in some states (CareScout 2025):
| State | Adult day care (per day) |
|---|---|
| California | $94 |
| Texas | $90 |
| Florida | $75 |
| New York | $144 |
| Illinois | $91 |
| Arizona | $95 |
| New Jersey | $100 |
| Georgia | $90 |
| Colorado | $105 |
These are medians: half of centers charge more and the other half charge less. Adult day health centers usually cost more than social ones. Always ask for the price list in writing and ask what it includes (meals, transportation, bathing, therapy). See more prices in how much senior care costs.
How to pay for it
Medicare
Medicare doesn't pay for adult day care. It lists it among the long-term care services it doesn't cover. Your loved one can still get Medicare home health services while going to an adult day center. Read what Medicare covers.
Medicaid and its waiver programs
Many states pay for adult day health care through home and community-based services programs, known as waivers (under section 1915(c) of the Medicaid law). Medicaid.gov lists adult day health services and respite care among the services these programs can cover. Each state decides how many people they serve, so there may be a waiting list. In other states, adult day care is included in Medicaid managed care plans, such as STAR+PLUS in Texas or the long-term care program in Florida. Read Does Medicaid pay for a nursing home? to understand the requirements.
CBAS in California
In California, adult day health care through Medi-Cal is called CBAS (Community-Based Adult Services). According to the California Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Aging:
- It's for people 18 or older with Medi-Cal who meet medical necessity criteria, who have chronic, cognitive or mental health conditions or a disability, and who are at risk of needing care in an institution.
- It offers nursing, therapy, mental health services, social work, personal care, meals and transportation.
- It's a benefit of the Medi-Cal managed care plan. The plan is the one that assesses whether the person qualifies. Call the member services number on the plan card.
Learn more about Medi-Cal in Medi-Cal and IHSS in California.
PACE
The PACE program is built around its own adult day center, where the person gets medical care, therapy, meals and activities, with transportation included. It's for people 55 or older who need a nursing home level of care but can live at home with support. With Medicaid, there's usually no premium. It isn't available in every area.
Veterans: VA Adult Day Health Care
The VA offers Adult Day Health Care to enrolled veterans who meet the clinical criteria, when the service is available. It may be provided at VA medical centers, State Veterans Homes or contracted community organizations. It includes activities and companionship and, depending on the location, nursing, therapy and social work; it also serves as respite for the family. There may be a copay based on service-connected disability and financial situation, which is calculated with VA Form 10-10EC. The first step is to talk with the VA social worker. Also see Aid and Attendance for veterans.
Other ways to pay
- Long-term care insurance: some policies cover adult day care. Check the policy.
- Local Area Agency on Aging: sometimes it helps with a few hours of adult day care as respite, through the caregiver support program. Read help for family caregivers.
- Sliding scale: some nonprofit centers adjust their fees based on income. Ask about it.
How to choose a center: helpful questions for your visit
Visit the center in mid-morning, when there's the most activity. Notice how staff talk with participants and whether people seem calm and engaged. The staff at these centers do very human work: they know each person by name, along with their likes and their hard days. Questions worth asking:
- What license or certification does the center have? Is it a social center or an adult day health center?
- What are the hours? Can someone come only some days or for half a day?
- Do you offer transportation? How far in advance does it need to be requested?
- Do you have staff who speak Spanish? Are there activities or music in Spanish?
- Can meals be adapted for diabetes or high blood pressure diets?
- Is there a nurse? Who gives medicines during the day?
- How do you help with bathing and incontinence?
- Do you care for people with dementia? How do you handle days when someone is restless?
- What happens if my loved one gets sick at the center? Who do you call?
- How much does it cost, what's included and what costs extra? Do you accept Medicaid, the VA or PACE?
- Can we do a trial day?
Bring our visit checklist and look for options in our adult day centers directory.
Frequently asked questions
Does my mom have to go every day?
No. Most centers let you choose the days and hours. Many families start with two or three days a week and adjust later. If Medicaid is paying, the care plan sets how many days are approved.
What if my dad doesn't want to go?
That's very common at first. It helps to present it as a "club" or a place to see friends, to go with him the first few days and to start with just a few hours. Ask whether the center has an adjustment period. For hard conversations, read talking with mom or dad about moving; many of the ideas work here too.
How do I know how much help my loved one needs?
Our care needs scales give you a rough idea, not a diagnosis. The doctor or the social worker can do a formal assessment.
This guide is for information only and is not medical or legal advice. Programs and prices vary by state.
Sources
- CareScout, Cost of Care Survey 2025, median cost tables: https://assets.carescout.com/x/8fcb50422f/282102.pdf (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Medicare.gov, Long-term care: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Medicaid.gov, Home and Community-Based Services 1915(c): https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/home-community-based-services-authorities/home-community-based-services-1915c (accessed October 15, 2026)
- California Department of Aging, Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS): https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Community-Based_Adult_Services/Program_Narrative_and_Fact_Sheets (accessed October 15, 2026)
- California DHCS, Community-Based Adult Services: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/community-based-adult-services/ (accessed October 15, 2026)
- VA, Adult Day Health Care: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/adult_day_health_care.asp (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Medicare.gov, PACE: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans/your-coverage-options/other-medicare-health-plans/PACE (accessed October 15, 2026)
This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by year: confirm with the official agency that applies to you.
Keep reading
PACE program
PACE, the Medicare and Medicaid Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: who qualifies, what it covers, what it costs, and how to find a center.
Home care
A caregiver from an agency or hired by your family, Medicare home health and Medicaid (IHSS, STAR+PLUS): typical costs and your duties as an employer.
Respite care: how to take a few days off from caregiving
What respite care is, where it's offered, who can help pay for it (Medicaid, the VA, hospice), and how to ask for it without feeling guilty.
How much care costs
Nursing home, assisted living, adult day care, and home care prices by state (CareScout 2025). What the rate includes, what's extra, and how to pay.
