Comparing Long-Term Care Services
Adult Day Services (ADS) act as an alternative or supplement to home care and an alternative to moving to assisted living or a nursing home to receive care. The centers enable continued community-based living for individuals with physical and cognitive limitations and provide respite for their caregivers.
In recent years, Adult Day Services centers have played and increasing role in providing long-term care services, as evidenced by the rapid growth in programs from 2,000 in 1989 to over 4,600 in 2023.
While this increase is partially due to the aging of our society, much of this growth can be attributed to the benefits offered through Adult Day Services. First, ADS centers allow individuals to remain in their home settings rather than an institutional setting, which is what the majority of caregivers and care recipients desire.
Adult Day Services are also far less expensive than assisted living or nursing home care. The annual Genworth Cost of Care study provides additional information about the various care options and their costs: Cost of Care Study.
Reference
The MetLife National Study of Adult Day Services. MetLife Mature Market Institute, Westport, CT. Retrieved October 16, 2011.