by Melissa DelaCalzada

Adult Day Care Programs in San Diego can provide a safe, engaging environment for seniors in a community-based setting, while giving those that care for them some relief and support from round-the-clock caregiving tasks. These programs are generally planned to provide daytime social/health services to adults – usually frail, disabled, or chronically ill seniors – who need supervised care outside the home during the week.

Adult day care and adult day health care offers seniors:

• Social interaction and mental stimulation
• Coordinated program of stimulating activities
• Meals and snacks
• Therapy in a non-medical environment
• Help with activities of daily living and transportation

So for those who care for an aging parent or senior, the role of family caregiver becomes a way of life. Days are filled with juggling employment responsibilities, personal obligations, marriage and children – all while tending to the needs of an aging parent or family member who may no longer manage independently and needs assistance with daily activities. Adult day care and adult day health care can give family caregivers a much needed break from caregiving duties.

Many family caregivers struggle with the idea of keeping an aging loved one at one home versus moving them to a nursing home or long-term care facility because of the time and caregiving responsibilities needed. Adult day care programs can offer the best of both worlds – providing supervised care and social engagement for the aging loved one outside of their home during the day, while allowing the caregiver to maintain employment and tend to other family and personal obligations.

Costs vary with adult day care programs depending on the services offered, how the programs are licensed and program location. They can range anywhere from $50 to $100 a day (this is just a suggested range – program costs will vary) and if professional health care is offered or needed, expect to pay higher fees. Although Medicare usually does not provide coverage for adult day care programs, state insurance programs like Medi-Cal (Medicaid nationally) or other federally-insured programs may offer some coverage, and many providers offer services on a sliding fee scale.

The County of San Diego’s Aging and Independence Services (AIS) website provides information on adult day care programs and support for caregivers and seniors, as well as a list of participating centers and providers. You can also call AIS toll-free at (800) 510-2020 for further assistance.