What social day care for the elderly is, who it helps, how it differs from adult day health care, what it costs, and how to find a social day program in Philadelphia.
Penn Village Adult Day Care is a licensed adult day center at 200-220 W. Chelten Avenue in Germantown, Philadelphia. Older adults spend the day with us for activities, hot meals, nursing oversight and good company, and our vans bring them from home and back. Families who are worried about a parent being alone too much often search for “social day care.” This guide explains what that means.
Social day care for the elderly is a daytime program focused on company, activities, meals and supervision. Older adults spend the day at a center with other people and staff, then go home in the afternoon. It is a good fit for people who are fairly independent but spend too much time alone. Programs with more nursing and health services are usually called adult day health care.
What is social day care for the elderly?
Social day care is a type of adult day care built around connection. The day centers on activities, conversation, meals and supervision, rather than medical treatment. People attend on the weekdays the family chooses, and they keep living at home.
You may also hear it called social adult day care, a senior day program or simply adult day care. Read what is another name for senior day care? for the full list of names.
Who is social day care for?
What happens during a day of social day care?
- Activities. Bingo, cards, dominoes, karaoke, trivia, arts and crafts and gentle exercise. Read senior day care activities.
- Conversation. Time to talk, laugh and make friends.
- A meal together. At Penn Village, nutritious meals are served every day members attend, at no extra charge.
- Help when needed. Staff help with walking, toileting and eating.
- Transportation. Our vans provide door-to-door pickup. See how transportation works.
How is social day care different from adult day health care?
| Social day care | Adult day health care | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Company, activities, meals, supervision | All of that, plus health services |
| Nursing | Varies by center | Nursing staff on site |
| Good fit for | Fairly independent people who are alone too much | People with ongoing health or care needs |
Many centers blend the two. At Penn Village, members get a full social day, and a nurse is on staff who checks vitals monthly and shares concerns with their doctor. Read adult day care vs. adult day health care for the details.
What are the benefits of social day care?
For the person attending
- Company every day they attend. Time with others helps with mood and memory. Read social isolation in seniors.
- A reason to get up. A regular place to go gives the week structure.
- A steady routine. Helpful for anyone with early memory changes.
- Regular meals. Eating with others helps people eat well.
- Staying at home. Read how adult day care can extend independent living.
For the family
- Dependable support during the week, so caregivers can work and take care of themselves too.
- Someone else noticing changes early.
- A team to ask questions as needs change. See respite care at Penn Village.
Signs social day care may be a good fit
Families often call us when
- Their parent spends most of the day alone or watching TV.
- They have stopped seeing friends or going out.
- They are skipping meals.
- They are starting to forget appointments or lose track of the day.
- The family needs regular support during the work week.
Read signs it is time to consider adult day care and how to talk to a parent about adult day care.
Find out if social day care is the right fit.
Call us to talk about your parent, check coverage, and set up a tour of the center.
How much does social day care cost, and who pays?
As a general estimate, adult day care in the Philadelphia area commonly costs around $75 to $150 per day. Call to confirm current pricing. Many families pay little or nothing out of pocket because a program covers it:
- Medicaid. Pennsylvania Medicaid pays for adult day care through Community HealthChoices, and Penn Village accepts all three Philadelphia plans. See Medicaid-approved adult day care.
- VA benefits. See VA adult day care.
- Long-term care insurance. Many policies include an adult day care benefit.
Original Medicare does not pay. Read does Medicare cover adult day care? and how much senior day care costs.
Finding social day care in Philadelphia
Penn Village is in Germantown, with door-to-door transportation from neighborhoods across the city, including Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia and Logan and Olney. See every area on our locations page.
Common questions about social day care
What is social day care for the elderly?
Social day care is a daytime program for older adults focused on company, activities, meals and supervision. People attend during the day and go home in the afternoon.
What is the difference between social day care and adult day care?
Social day care is a type of adult day care. The term points to a program focused on company and activities, rather than one with more health services built in.
Is social day care the same as a senior center?
No. A senior center offers drop-in activities. Social day care adds supervision, personal care help, meals and a set daily routine.
Does Medicaid pay for social day care?
In Pennsylvania, Medicaid pays for adult day care through Community HealthChoices for people who qualify. Penn Village accepts all three Philadelphia plans.
Is there social day care near me in Philadelphia?
Penn Village is a licensed adult day center in Germantown with door-to-door transportation across Philadelphia. Call 267-437-2898 to ask about pickup near you.
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