In short
- Adult day programs give people living with dementia a chance to be social and join activities in a safe setting, and give family caregivers a regular break, says the Alzheimer’s Association.
- In a study of family caregivers, days when their relative attended a day program brought fewer care-related stresses and more positive moments (Zarit and colleagues, 2014).
- Settling in can take a few weeks. The Alzheimer’s Association suggests trying a program for a month before you decide.
What an adult day program is
An adult day program is a place your loved one goes for part or all of the day before coming home in the evening. The Alzheimer’s Association describes adult day programs as a chance for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias to be social and take part in activities in a safe environment. The National Institute on Aging notes that a program may offer social activities, exercise, meals, personal care and basic health care services. Services vary from program to program.
Many people who attend are living with memory loss. In 2022, about 34 percent of people using adult day services in the United States had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, according to CDC statistics.
Programs come in two broad kinds. Social programs focus on company, activities and meals; adult day health programs add services such as nursing care. TrueCare is a social day program. Our guide to choosing an adult day program on Long Island explains the difference in New York.
What the day can offer the person you care for
Dementia can make it harder to start an activity or plan a day, but enjoyment still matters. The National Institute on Aging says people with Alzheimer’s need to be active and do things they enjoy. It suggests music, exercise and time with pets, matched to what the person can do, and letting them simply watch if they enjoy that more.
A day program offers those things with other people around. The Alzheimer’s Association says day programs give people with dementia “a chance to be social and to participate in staffed activities such as music and exercise programs.”
Research on how people with dementia respond is still limited, but some findings are encouraging. In one study, caregivers of people who started a day program reported fewer nighttime sleep problems than caregivers of people who didn’t attend. It found no clear difference in other areas, such as low mood and agitation (Femia and colleagues, 2007). A second study of 121 family caregivers found fewer behavior problems in the evening and better sleep after a day at the program (Zarit and colleagues, 2011).
What it can offer you as a caregiver
Caring for someone with dementia is demanding. Nearly 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with dementia, and 59 percent of them report high or very high emotional stress, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Facts and Figures. The CDC notes that these caregivers are at greater risk for anxiety, depression and a poorer quality of life than other caregivers.
Regular time away helps. The CDC lists adult day care as one way to get a break and says even a few hours of respite a week can improve your well-being. If you work during the day, the Alzheimer’s Association notes that a day program can help you balance a job with caregiving.
Research supports this. In a study of 173 family caregivers, the days their relative spent at a day program brought fewer care-related stresses, more positive experiences and less anger than days of caring at home. The researchers suggest this may help protect caregivers from the effects of long-term stress (Zarit and colleagues, 2014).
If taking a break makes you feel guilty, you’re not alone. The Alzheimer’s Association’s advice is to remember that wearing yourself out doesn’t help the person you care for.
Settling in takes time
Anything new can be unsettling for someone with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association says some people resist going at first but often look forward to it after several weeks of meeting people and joining in. It suggests attending at least twice a week for a month before making a final decision.
- Begin with a shorter day if that feels easier. At TrueCare, a morning or afternoon half day is one way to start.
- Tell our staff what your mom or dad enjoys and how their day usually goes. Our guide to preparing for your first visit lists what to note down.
- Ask how the first days went, and share what you notice at home.
When a social program fits
Few programs offer every service, and the Alzheimer’s Association notes that a program doesn’t need them all to be good. A social program like TrueCare focuses on company, activities and meals. It isn’t a medical program. If the person you care for needs nursing care, help with medication or other health services during the day, raise it early with any program you’re considering, and talk with their doctor.
Needs can change over time. The Alzheimer’s Association suggests looking again at care needs as dementia progresses, because at some point a person may need more care than a day program can provide.
TrueCare in Massapequa and Seaford
TrueCare is a senior daycare in Massapequa and Seaford on Long Island, serving the elderly, especially those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our founder, Carol Bottiglieri, started TrueCare after nine years of caring for seniors one on one.
Our philosophy at TrueCare is that seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s do better in an environment that includes peer-to-peer socialization, structured activities, exercise and healthy meals. We also realize the need for caregivers to have time away in order to take care of their own needs.
The day includes chair yoga and leg exercises, current events, music with “Name that Tune” and sing-alongs, trivia and crafts, with a healthy breakfast, a daily snack and beverages. We’re open Monday to Friday for a morning half day (8 AM–1 PM), an afternoon half day (1–6 PM) or a full day (8 AM–6 PM), and on Saturdays for a half day (11 AM–4 PM). We accept full-time and part-time clients.
For more on the social side of the day, see why social time matters for seniors.
Most families start with a phone call. Call 516.757.2557 and we’ll set up a tour. You can also request a tour online, and we’ll call you to arrange a time.
Questions families ask
Is adult day care a good idea for someone with dementia?
It can be. The Alzheimer’s Association describes day programs as a way for people with dementia to be social and active while caregivers get a break, and studies have found less caregiver stress on program days. Visit, ask questions and allow a few weeks to settle in.
Is adult day care the same as memory care?
No. An adult day program runs during the day, and your loved one comes home each evening. TrueCare is a social day program, not a medical or residential program.
How many days a week should my parent attend?
There’s no single answer. The Alzheimer’s Association suggests trying a program at least twice a week for a month before deciding. TrueCare accepts full-time and part-time clients.
Does Medicare pay for adult day care?
According to the National Institute on Aging, Medicare doesn’t pay for adult day care. Medicaid and other government programs may help, and some long-term care insurance plans pay part of the cost. TrueCare doesn’t list prices online; call 516.757.2557 to ask about the schedule you have in mind.
What if my mom or dad doesn’t want to go?
Reluctance at first is common. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that many people come to look forward to the day after a few weeks. You might start with a half day and visit together first.
Sources
- Alzheimer’s Association. Adult day centers.
- Alzheimer’s Association. 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
- National Institute on Aging. Services for older adults living at home.
- National Institute on Aging. Adapting activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caregivers of a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caring for yourself when caring for another.
- National Center for Health Statistics. FastStats: Alzheimer’s disease.
- Femia EE, Zarit SH, Stephens MAP, Greene R. Impact of adult day services on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The Gerontologist, 2007.
- Zarit SH, Kim K, Femia EE, Almeida DM, Savla J, Molenaar PCM. Effects of adult day care on daily stress of caregivers: a within-person approach. Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2011.
- Zarit SH, Kim K, Femia EE, Almeida DM, Klein LC. The effects of adult day services on family caregivers’ daily stress, affect, and health. The Gerontologist, 2014.