Alzheimer's day care in Philadelphia
Penn Village is an adult day care for people living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Penn Village Adult Day Care is a licensed adult day center at 200-220 W. Chelten Avenue in Germantown, Philadelphia. Members living with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia spend the day with us for activities, hot meals, nursing oversight and good company. Our vans bring them from home and back.
Families choose the days that work for them. Your family member keeps living at home and sleeping in their own bed, and spends the day somewhere calm, familiar and social.
Why families choose us
Why adult day care works well for someone with Alzheimer's.
Most of the families who call us are looking for help for someone they love. Here are the reasons families choose Penn Village for that help.
They follow the same routine every day they attend.
People living with Alzheimer's do best when the day is predictable. The same arrival, the same faces, the same rhythm of activity and meals. Over a few weeks the center becomes familiar, and that familiarity makes each day easier.
They spend the day with other people.
Members talk, laugh, play games and share a meal together. Staying social helps with mood, and conversation keeps people engaged at their own pace.
A nurse keeps an eye on their health.
A nurse is on staff, vitals are checked monthly, and any concerns are shared with their doctor. A change in appetite, a fall risk, or new confusion... These are the types of things that get noticed early.
They eat a nutritious meal every day they attend.
Meals are served every day at no extra charge. Eating together at the table also brings people into conversation. Our approach to nutrition and memory care was featured on 6ABC. See the feature.
They keep living in their own home.
Adult day care gives them support during the day and their own home at night. For many families it means a move to a residential facility can wait.
Families get support throughout the week.
While your family member is with us, you can work, run errands, see your own doctor and take care of yourself too. Read about caregiver and family support.
A day at Penn Village
What a day at our Alzheimer's day care looks like.
The day follows the same order each time so members know what comes next.
- Morning pickup.
Our van picks them up at their front door and brings them to the center. - Arrival and a warm welcome.
Members settle in, say hello to friends and staff, and find a familiar seat. - Mid-morning activity.
Music, gentle exercise, games or crafts, chosen for each member's abilities. Nobody is pushed to take part, and everyone is invited. - A meal together at midday.
Members eat together at the table, with help for anyone who needs it. - A quieter early afternoon.
Puzzles, cards, reminiscing and calm conversation. Some members rest in the lounge. - Late afternoon and the ride home.
Staying busy and social late in the day can help with sundowning. The van brings them home.
Read a fuller description in what a day at adult day care looks like for someone with dementia.
Every stage
How we support people at each stage of Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's changes over time, and the support changes with it. Families can add days as needs grow.
Activities
Activities for people living with Alzheimer's.
Activities are planned so everyone can join in at their own level. Here are some of the things members do during the week.
Read more in what activities keep Alzheimer's patients engaged, or browse our senior activities program.
Behavior and safety
How we help with confusion, agitation and wandering.
Changes in behavior are part of Alzheimer's. Our staff are with members throughout the day and are used to helping people through hard moments calmly.
What happens if they get upset or agitated?
Staff stay calm, give reassurance, and steer the person toward something familiar or a quieter space. We learn what helps each member and share it with the family. Read dementia aggression and agitation: why it happens and what helps.
What if they tend to wander?
Members are supervised throughout the day on one accessible floor. Tell us about wandering on the first call so we can plan for it. See dementia and wandering: when it is no longer safe to leave a parent home alone.
What if they say they do not want to go?
That is common at the start. Many people settle in once the center, the staff and the other members become familiar. Read how to convince a parent with dementia to try adult day care.
Support for families
Support for the family members who care for them.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is a big job, and families do it best with support. Adult day care gives you regular, dependable time during the week, and our team is here to answer questions as things change.
- Regular time during the week. Work, run errands or rest while your family member is with us. See respite care at Penn Village.
- Support groups near you. Meet other families caring for someone with dementia. See caregiver support groups in Philadelphia.
- A plan for emergencies. Know who steps in if you get sick. Read the emergency coverage playbook.
- Taking care of yourself too. Read signs you are a burned-out caregiver.
Inside the center
What our Alzheimer's day care center looks like.
One floor in Germantown, fully ADA accessible, with room for games, crafts, music, a quiet lounge and meals together.
Cost and coverage
How families pay for Alzheimer's day care.
Many of our members living with dementia attend with help from Medicaid or the VA, and families often pay little or nothing out of pocket.
- Medicaid. We accept all three Community HealthChoices plans in Philadelphia. See Medicaid-approved adult day care.
- VA benefits. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify. See adult day care for veterans with dementia.
- Private pay and long-term care insurance. As a general estimate, adult day care in the Philadelphia area commonly costs around $75 to $150 per day. Call to confirm current pricing.
Read how much memory care day care costs in Philadelphia for the full breakdown.
Getting started
How to start Alzheimer's day care at Penn Village.
- Call us.
Tell us about your family member, what a normal day looks like, and what insurance they have. - Visit the center.
Come for a tour with your family member. Watch the virtual tour below first if you like. - Complete the intake.
We go over their health, routine, likes and dislikes, and the paperwork their doctor needs to fill out. - Set up coverage and transportation.
We help with Medicaid or VA steps and set up the pickup schedule. - Start attending.
We welcome them on their first day and keep you updated as they settle in.
Choosing between centers? Read how to choose an Alzheimer's day care in Philadelphia for the questions to ask on every tour.
Where our members come from
Alzheimer's day care for families across Philadelphia.
Penn Village is in Germantown, and our vans bring members from neighborhoods across the city and nearby towns. Find your area below.
See every area on our locations page, or read dementia day programs near Germantown.
Take a virtual tour
Walk through the center on video.
See the activity areas, dining room and lounge before you visit in person.
Once you have toured the center virtually, give us a call to set up an in-person tour.
Common questions
Questions families ask about Alzheimer's day care.
What is Alzheimer's day care?
Alzheimer's day care is a daytime program for people living with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. Members spend the day at the center for activities, meals, supervision and nursing oversight, then go home in the afternoon. They keep living at home with their family.
Can people with Alzheimer's go to adult day care?
Yes. Many adult day care members are living with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia, from the early stage onward. Read can people with Alzheimer's go to adult day care?
What is the difference between Alzheimer's day care and a memory care facility?
A memory care facility is a place where someone lives full time. Alzheimer's day care is a daytime program, and they go home every afternoon. See adult day care vs. memory care facility and our memory care day program.
How many days a week should someone with Alzheimer's attend?
Many families start with two or three days and add more over time. Attending on the same days each week helps the routine stick. Read how many days a week should someone attend adult day care?
Does Medicaid pay for Alzheimer's day care in Pennsylvania?
Yes, for people who qualify. Pennsylvania Medicaid covers adult day care through Community HealthChoices. Penn Village accepts all three Community HealthChoices plans in Philadelphia.
Is there a nurse at the center?
Yes. A nurse is on staff, vitals are checked monthly, and any concerns are shared with the member's doctor.
Do you provide transportation?
Yes. Our wheelchair-accessible vans provide door-to-door transportation for members across Philadelphia. See the neighborhoods we serve.
What if my family member has vascular dementia or another type of dementia?
Our program supports people living with many types of dementia. Read vascular dementia vs. Alzheimer's, then call us to talk about your family member.
Is adult day care good for people with dementia?
For many people, yes. A steady routine, time with others, meals and health oversight can help with mood and daily functioning. Read is adult day care good for dementia patients?
What are the early signs that someone may need Alzheimer's day care?
Forgetting recent conversations, getting lost in familiar places, missing meals or medications, and spending long stretches alone are common reasons families call. Read is it normal aging or early dementia?
Can someone with Alzheimer's who uses a wheelchair attend?
Yes. The center is one fully ADA-accessible floor, bathrooms have safety railings, and our vans are wheelchair accessible.
How do I choose between Alzheimer's day care centers?
Visit two or three, bring the same questions to each, and watch how staff talk to members. Our guide on how to choose an Alzheimer's day care in Philadelphia has a full checklist.