What happens at adult daycare?

Programs typically include organized and supervised hands-on activities that may involve:

• Stimulating recreation (such as crafts, group conversation)
• Music therapy
• Art therapy
• Sensory stimulation
• Physical therapy
• Access to a library
• Entertainment (such as music, movies)
• Outings to museums, parks, or other local attractions
• Support groups and counseling
• Socialization activities
• Personal and nursing care (including help in keeping up with medications)
• Meals (usually lunch) and snacks

Activities are usually customized to individual needs and abilities, but at the same time, there's an emphasis on group participation. The setting is often homelike and comforting.

Additionally, some programs offer medically oriented care for patients who need it (administering medication or caring for basic medical or personal needs, such as podiatry services). Some offer counseling and educational services to caregivers and families.

Some adult day programs are connected with children's daycare centers. An advantage to this arrangement is that intergenerational connections that are made. A potential disadvantage that some researchers have found is that the adults can feel that they're being treated like children themselves, if the activities are largely child-centered.