Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a loved one with special needs, adult day care is a long-term care option that can offer incredible benefits — for both your family and your wallet.
The cost of an adult day service tends to be less expensive than both in-home and residential care because it operates on a communal basis, according to Christopher Norman, a geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) based in Jamesville, New York. “Several seniors share the facilities and services, which cuts down costs compared to the one-on-one care usually required at home or the continuous supervision necessary in residential facilities,” he says.
So, how much does adult day care cost? Here, experts explain the key factors that influence rates, plus offer ways to cut costs so that your family can plan and budget wisely.
Average cost of adult day care services
Adult day care services are community-based programs that provide daily care for seniors and adults with disabilities. In 2023, the national average cost for adult day care was $95 per day, according to the latest data collected by Genworth, a long-term care insurance company.
Full-day adult day service fees usually include meals, activities and sometimes transportation, which adds to their value, explains Moti Gamburd, chief executive officer of CARE Homecare, an in-home senior care provider in Los Angeles. “Most centers charge per day, but some offer hourly rates, which can be helpful if you only need a few hours of care,” Gamburd says. “For example, I worked with a family where the wife cared for her husband with dementia but needed just a few hours each week to run errands and recharge. Hourly rates made a huge difference for her.”
Here’s a snapshot of adult day care rates by pay period in the U.S., according to Genworth:
- Average daily adult day care cost: $95.
- Average monthly adult day care cost: $2,058.
- Average yearly adult day care cost: $24,700.
Adult day care cost vs. other care options
Compared to in-home care or assisted living facilities, adult day care services are far less expensive, according to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). Here’s how national costs compare, according to Genworth:
National average cost of senior care services, by type
| Care service or facility | Average daily rate | Average monthly rate | Average annual rate |
| Home health aide | $207 | $6,292 | $75,504 |
| Adult day care service | $95 | $2,058 | $24,700 |
| Assisted living facility | $176 | $5,350 | $64,200 |
| Nursing home (private room) | $320 | $9,733 | $116,800 |
To compare adult day care costs vs. other care services in your area, you can use Genworth’s interactive Cost of Care map to find rates by city, state or zip code.
Factors that can increase the price of adult day care and what they cost
Adult day care costs vary depending on location, services offered and care intensity, explains director of operations at Loving Homecare Inc. Tanner Gish, a certified dementia practitioner based in Whittier, California. Here’s a closer look at how these factors can influence what you’ll pay for adult day care, according to the experts:
Facility location and size
Your location will play a role in how much adult day care costs, Gamburd explains. “Facilities in larger cities often cost more than those in smaller areas,” he says. For example, in Los Angeles, adult day services usually cost between $75 and $150 a day, he notes. “Staffing also matters,” Gamburd adds. “Centers with low participant-to-staff ratios or professionals (like nurses) on-site charge more because they can offer more personalized care.”
Level of care required
Medical needs are one of the most significant factors influencing the cost of adult day care, Gish says. Specifically, these specialized services can drive up costs, according to experts:
Medical monitoring and care
“If a senior or adult with disabilities requires medication management, incontinence care or specialized physical therapy, these services usually come at an additional cost,” Gish says. “For example, having a nurse on-site to administer medication or perform health assessments could add between $15 to $30 per day to the overall cost.”
In cases of complex medical conditions, such as those requiring constant monitoring or more frequent medical interventions, the cost of care can increase more significantly, Gish notes. “On average, adult day services with extensive medical care might range between $120 to $200 per day, depending on the intensity of the care,” he says.
Cognitive care services
“Adult day services offering more specialized care for those with advanced Alzheimer’s disease or other severe cognitive conditions may have higher costs due to the increased level of staffing and attention required,” Gish says. “Depending on the facility and location, these additional services can bring the cost to $100 to $150 per day, or more.”
Facility amenities and add-ons
All adult day centers offer a mix of social and therapeutic activities that benefit physical and cognitive health and ease loneliness, Norman explains. They also provide meals, can assist with medications and conduct routine health checks, he notes.
“I paid $80 per day and this included all activities and meals,” says caregiver Joann Schoenherr who trusted Attentive Adult Day Center in O’Fallon, Missouri, with the care of her husband, Gerry, for 2 to3 days per week in 2020. “I would drop him off around 8:30 a.m. and they would serve him two meals and two snacks before I picked him up around 3:30 p.m.”
But some services are not included in the base rate, Gamburd explains. “Transportation, for example, is often an add-on with fees for pick-up and drop-off,” he says. “Some centers also charge extra for outings, special events or additional meals outside the standard schedule.”
How to reduce the cost of adult day care for your family
Gamburd recommends starting with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to find an adult day care service that’s best for your budget. AAA can provide resources and information on subsidies or financial assistance programs, he says. Here are some options to ask about:
Local and national government grants
“There are various local and national grants available to help reduce the cost of adult day services,” Gish says. Many AAA organizations offer financial assistance programs for seniors and adults with disabilities, especially those facing financial hardship, he says. Additionally, private foundations such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program provide funding for families who are caring for loved ones with disabilities, Gish adds.
Sliding-scale fees offered by adult day care centers
Some adult day care services in your area may offer a sliding-scale fee, Gish explains, which is a pricing model where the cost of services is adjusted based on a client’s financial situation. For example, a family with a lower income might pay as little as $25 to $40 per day, while those with a higher income pay the full amount. “The idea behind this system is to make adult day services more accessible to a wider range of people,” he says.
Health care and insurance benefits
While Medicare does not typically cover adult day care services, there are other insurance benefits you may be able to access. “Some families may qualify for Medicaid waivers, which cover adult day services in certain cases,” Gamburd says. Veterans and their spouses might also be eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he adds.
“Exploring long-term care insurance is another option if your loved one has a policy in place,” Gish says. Experts recommend discussing long-term care insurance as an option with a professional to see if premium costs could be worth what you’d save on adult day care.
The bottom line
The average cost for adult day care is $95 per day, according to Genworth, which is less than other long-term care options. But rates vary depending on where you live and what a center offers. “Some centers provide extra services, such as personalized therapy sessions, advanced medical treatments — like wound care or IV therapy — and transportation services,” Norman says. “These often come with a higher cost because they require specialized staff and equipment.”
Experts recommend checking with your local aging services and adult day centers first to find out about available funding options (including national and local grants), sliding-scale fees and insurance benefits, before you make your budget.
