Adult day care services and centers are non-residential facilities that support the health, nutritional, social support, and daily living needs of seniors in a professionally staffed and group-like setting. Adult day care service centers help provide transitional care and short-term rehabilitation for seniors following hospital discharge. Most often, the centers operate about 12 hours per day and provide meals, meaningful activities, and general supervision.

Typically, adult day care centers will focus on providing senior care services to elders with a specific chronic condition such as Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias, or their care services may be available for seniors with various disabilities. Many adult day care centers will maintain a nurse on-site and devote a room for elders to have their vital signs checked, and receive other health care related services from a skilled nurse or medical assistant when needed. Adult day care services can also provide transportation, personal care, along with helpful support groups for caregivers of the senior participant.

Participation in adult day centers may help prevent seniors from being re-hospitalized and can also help to delay admission to a residential long-term care facility. For elders who prefer to stay at home alone, they can do so as well with a home health aide or caregiver. For caregivers, adult day centers can provide respite care, which will enable caregivers to work or take a break from their senior care services.