Adult day service centers, commonly referred to as adult day care, are a vital but overlooked sector of long-term care. There are estimated to be more than 5,000 centers across the nation and they play a crucial role in promoting healthy aging by providing a structured and supportive environment for older adults during the day, while allowing them to live in their homes. 

I have been conducting research in these centers for nearly a decade after seeing their powerful impact on members of my own family. Adult day care also happens to be the most racially and ethnically diverse sector of long-term care, and programs are highly adept at offering culturally relevant and linguistically congruent programming that reflect the cultures and life-course of their members. They also have a powerful impact on people living with dementia by supporting their health and function. Our research showed that many participants whose centers shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic experience rapid functional and cognitive decline.

Adult day centers also support healthy aging in a multitude of ways. Many adult day care centers offer tailored exercise programs, including low-impact aerobics, yoga, and strength training, designed to improve mobility, balance, and overall physical health. Regular physical activity helps manage chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Centers also provide balanced, nutritious meals and snacks. Our research shows that many participants wouldn’t otherwise eat if they didn’t go to the center, and many eat better and more independently because they benefit from the company of those around them. They also provide health monitoring services, and many are using the CareMobi app – which was created at NYU Meyers – to work with family caregivers to coordinate health and identify problems before older adults end up in the hospital.

Adult day centers have a powerful impact on cognition and mental health which we are currently studying with a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association. Activities like puzzles, memory games, and educational workshops stimulate cognitive functions and can help slow the progression of cognitive decline associated with aging and conditions like dementia. Centers engage participants’ minds and encourage lifelong learning. Adult day care centers provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can express their feelings and receive emotional support. Access to social workers helps address issues like depression, anxiety, and stress, which are common among older adults.

Most importantly, adult day centers offer something other sectors of long-term care cannot; they provide social engagement through group activities, outings, and events, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Regular interaction with peers helps build friendships and a sense of community, which is vital for emotional well-being. At a recent focus group at a center in rural Tennessee, one participant said that “Each day at the center felt like the best day ever.” 

You can learn more about adult day services and find a center near you by visiting the website of the National Adult Day Services Association, with whom NYU Meyers is partnering on much needed research that supports advocacy and drives innovation.

----------

Read the entire September 2024 newsletter here