Socialization is a key benefit to seniors who visit adult day care centers.
Regulations for day care centers for seniors vary by types of centers, the community and state they are located in and provisions for Medicaid reimbursement. According to the National Adult Day Services Association, there are generally three types of adult day care facilities: social, medical/health and specialized, such as a place that could provide licensed care for Alzheimer's parents.
Local Ordinances
Even with the proper certificates and licenses from county and state health offices and other regulatory agencies, adult day care facilities may still have to clear zoning hurdles. Centers that are operated out of a home may be allowed in residential neighborhoods if the owners obtain a special-use permit in which the local government can restrict hours of operation and the number of customers per day. Some towns, villages and cities may have designated neighborhoods for child and adult day care facilities. Ordinances should be available for public inspection in the municipal clerk's office.
Types of Adult Day Care Centers
Social centers mainly provide meals and recreation. Medical/heath centers also provide social activities, but they include intensive health and therapeutic services. Specialized centers can cater to those with diagnosed dementia or developmental disabilities. Most states require any adult day care centers that provide health, medical or mental health services to be licensed in a similar manner to nursing homes, assisted living facilities or senior group homes, according to seniorresource.com.
Licensing and Monitoring of Personnel
Established Adult Day Health Care facilities in most states will require certified professionals for the following services: psychological evaluations, social work, administration of medications, assistance with feeding, bathing and hair washing, and dressing of wounds. Typically, a state license is also needed for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement.
Industry Standards
Social day care centers in many states do not require a state license or any oversight from a county health department. However, the National Adult Day Services Association established a national standardized criteria for rating adult day care centers. Those standards include everything from staffing levels, fees, nutrition and acceptable activities. In 2009, the organization identified 4,601 day programs operating in the United States, a 35 percent increase from 2002.
Tax Designations
Nonprofit designations could require additional regulations if the facility is exempted from property taxes. Nonprofit agencies also might have restrictions as to how much its employees are paid and how much it can charge clients. In addition, there might be maximum income eligibility requirements if the agency's mission is to serve a low- to medium-income population.
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