What adult day centers provide

Adult day centers in Pennsylvania are non-residential facilities licensed by the PA Department of Aging. They provide a safe, supervised environment during daytime hours. The main purpose is to let family caregivers work or take a break while knowing their loved one is cared for.

These centers offer personal care, nursing services, social services, therapeutic activities, and meals. Some facilities also offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy on site.

If your loved one needs help with eating or using the restroom, center staff provide personal care. This makes adult day care a practical choice for older adults who cannot safely be left alone at home.

For individuals in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease, adult day centers offer structured routines. During this stage, people often experience confusion, wandering, and personality changes. A supervised environment keeps them safe while providing socialization.

Adult day care vs. senior centers vs. home care

When looking for daytime support, families often compare three main options. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right level of care for your loved one.

If your loved one is largely independent, a local senior center offers great social activities. The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) helps fund 28 senior community centers across the city. These centers provide recreation like billiards and trips, health promotion workshops, and art classes.

Any Philadelphia resident 60 or older can eat a lunchtime meal at a PCA-funded center Monday through Friday. Donations are requested but not required. However, senior centers do not provide supervision or personal care.

For those who need hands-on help with daily tasks, adult day care or home care is necessary. Adult day care provides a group setting, while home care delivers one-on-one assistance directly in the person’s residence.

Need help keeping your loved one safe at home? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our “I am a client” form to discuss your options.

Paying for adult day care

Paying for adult day services out of pocket gets expensive quickly. Fortunately, Pennsylvania offers programs to help cover the costs for eligible older adults.

The Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver covers adult day health as a waiver service. If your loved one is functionally and financially eligible for the CHC waiver, their person-centered service plan can include adult day care.

To qualify for the CHC waiver, the applicant must be 21 or older and meet financial limits. The income limit is $2,982 per month in 2026. The applicant must also be found functionally eligible, meaning they require a nursing facility level of care. In Philadelphia, an assessor from PCA performs the Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) to check if the applicant needs hands-on help with daily activities.

Applying for the CHC waiver involves several steps; it can take a few months, though it should not take more than 90 days. You start by calling the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227. They will send a Physician Certification form to your loved one’s doctor, who marks the level of care (NFCE, NFI or ICF/ORC) and should return the form within 5 business days.

The PA Caregiver Support Program is another option. It reimburses family caregivers for approved out-of-pocket caregiving expenses, including adult day care and supplies.

To qualify, you must be 18 or older and primarily responsible for someone 60 or older with functional deficits, or someone of any age with Alzheimer’s. You do not need to live with the person receiving care. As of August 2021, the maximum monthly reimbursement is up to $600, based on your reimbursement percentage.

In Philadelphia, you apply for this program through PCA. You can contact PCA’s Caregiver Support Program directly at 215-995-4372 or email CSPPCAreferrals@pcaCares.org.

How to choose a center

Finding the right facility requires research and asking the right questions. Start by confirming the center is licensed by the PA Department of Aging. This ensures they meet state standards for safety and care.

Visit the facility in person to observe the environment. Look at the cleanliness, the staff-to-participant ratio, and how engaged the attendees are with the activities. A good center will have a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Ask about their operating hours. Do they align with your work schedule? Ask if they provide transportation to and from the center, as this can save you significant time and effort each day.

If your relative has cognitive impairment, ask about their experience with memory care. Ask how the center prevents wandering and how staff are trained to handle behaviors like pacing, anxiety or sundowning.

Inquire about the meals provided during the day. Confirm they can accommodate specific dietary needs, such as diabetic, low-sodium, or kosher diets. For more local assistance, explore our guide to Philadelphia senior resources.

Combining adult day and home care

Many families find that one service is not enough. You can combine adult day care with in-home support to cover all your caregiving needs safely.

For example, an adult day center might close at 4:00 p.m., but you work until 6:00 p.m. A home care aide can provide one-to-one help at home in the mornings to help your loved one get dressed and ready for the day. They can also arrive in the evenings to prepare dinner, assist with bathing, and provide supervision until you return.

Home care aides also help maintain a safe environment to prevent falls. They ensure floors are clear of clutter and can assist your loved one when moving from a chair to the bed. This hands-on mobility assistance is a core part of non-medical home care services.

This combination offers excellent short-term relief. Using in-home respite care gives you a break on weekends or holidays when the day center is closed. Blending these services is an effective strategy for balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s, managing the transition between home and a day center can be challenging. An aide trained in dementia care keeps routines consistent. This helps reduce evening confusion and agitation.

As a Philadelphia home care agency, New Century can schedule visits around adult day hours. Additionally, through the Medicaid CHC program, relatives can be hired as paid caregivers. Keep in mind that the waiver will not pay a spouse, legal guardian, power of attorney, or representative payee.

Ready to set up in-home support for your family member? Contact New Century at 215-974-0000 and select the “I am a client” form to get started.