Adult day care services provide a break, or respite, to caregivers while providing health services, therapeutic services, and social activities for people with a physical disability, Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, and other problems that increase their care needs. Some adult day care centers are dementia specific, providing services exclusively to that population. Other centers serve the broader population.

Adult day care is an option for consideration by the working caregiver, as it provides a safe environment for the care recipient and allows a caregiver to continue working outside the home. However, non-working caregivers can also greatly benefit as adult day care provides a break from the daily stress of caring for an older or disabled loved one. 

Additionally, the care receiver can also benefit from adult day care. Most adult day centers provide stimulating activities such as music and art therapy, and participants also have an opportunity to interact socially with peers, receive physical or speech therapy if needed, and assistance with the activities of daily living such as personal care.

Programs vary, but participants can generally attend day care programs for as little as a few hours a week or as much as a full day, five days a week. Most programs do not offer weekend services, although a few may offer some service on Saturdays.

Medicare does not cover day care costs, but in Michigan the MI Choice Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver program can pay all the costs in a licensed day care center if the senior qualifies both financially and medically. Some day care centers offer need-based scholarships. Others may use a sliding fee scale based on income. Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of day care costs when registered, licensed medical personnel are involved in the care. Long-term care insurance may also pay for adult day services, depending upon the policy. Dependent care tax credits may be available to the caregiver as well.  For individuals with dementia, the Alzheimer's Association may be able to provide some support with adult day services.

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good source to find out what adult day services are available close to your home or work.  They will provide you with a list of centers, contact information and approximate cost.

Southeast Michigan's three Area Agencies on Aging are:

Area Agency on Aging 1-B
www.aaa1b.org
29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 357-2255 | (800) 852-7795
Fax: (248) 948-9691
Serves: Counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, St. Clair

Detroit Area Agency on Aging (1-A)
www.daaa1a.org
Brewery Park
1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48207-2635
(313) 446-4444
Fax: (313) 446-4445
Serves: Cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Harper Woods

The Senior Alliance
www.thesenioralliance.org
Area Agency on Aging 1-C
3850 Second, Suite 201
Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 722-2830
(800) 815-1112 (SE Michigan only)
Fax: (734) 722-2836
Serves: 34 communities of Western and Southern Wayne County