What senior day care costs in Philadelphia, what the daily rate includes, and how families use Medicaid, VA benefits and insurance to pay for it.
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. Cost is one of the first questions families ask us, so this guide puts the numbers, the coverage options and the next steps in one place.
As a general estimate, senior day care in the Philadelphia area commonly costs around $75 to $150 per day. Pennsylvania’s median for adult day health care in 2025 was about $30,420 a year for five days a week, which works out to roughly $117 a day. Medicaid, VA benefits and long-term care insurance can pay for most or all of it for people who qualify. Call 267-437-2898 to confirm current pricing at Penn Village.
How much does senior day care cost in Philadelphia?
Senior day care is usually priced by the day. Most centers in the Philadelphia area fall somewhere in the $75 to $150 per day range, depending on the level of care and what is included. Programs built around memory care, nursing oversight or personal care tend to sit higher in that range than social programs that mainly offer activities and a meal.
Here is how the published benchmarks compare.
| Benchmark | Yearly (5 days a week) | Roughly per day |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania median, adult day health care (2025) | $30,420 | about $117 |
| National median, adult day health care (2025) | $24,700 | about $95 |
| Philadelphia area, general estimate | varies by center | about $75 to $150 |
Yearly medians from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, based on five days a week for 52 weeks. Daily figures are those yearly medians divided by 260 days. Prices at any one center can be higher or lower.
Very few families pay for five days a week, every week, out of pocket. Most attend two or three days, and many have some or all of the cost covered. The rest of this guide explains how.
How does senior day care cost compare with other senior care?
Adult day care is the lowest-cost option for daytime support in Pennsylvania. Here is the full picture using the same survey.
| Type of care | Pennsylvania median per year | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Adult day health care | $30,420 | Daytime program on weekdays. They sleep at home. |
| In-home care (non-medical aide) | $77,792 | An aide comes to the home, based on 44 hours a week. |
| Assisted living | $76,218 | They move into a residence with support around the clock. |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $143,445 | 24-hour skilled nursing care in a facility. |
| Nursing home, private room | $164,250 | 24-hour skilled nursing care in a facility. |
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, Pennsylvania figures.
Many families combine options. A common setup is adult day care on weekdays with family or a part-time aide covering evenings and weekends. For a side-by-side look at what each option includes, read adult day care vs. assisted living vs. nursing home and adult day care vs. home health care.
Want to know what Penn Village would cost for your family member?
Call 267-437-2898What does the daily cost of senior day care include?
What is included varies from center to center, so it is worth asking. At Penn Village, a day includes:
When comparing prices, check whether transportation and meals are included or billed separately. A lower daily rate can end up costing more once rides and lunch are added.
What changes the price of senior day care?
- Level of care. A social day program usually costs less than an adult day health program with nursing and personal care.
- Memory care needs. Programs set up for people living with dementia often cost more because they need more staff attention. See what memory care day care costs in Philadelphia.
- Days per week. Most centers charge by the day, so the weekly cost depends on the schedule you choose.
- Full or partial days. Some centers offer shorter days at a lower rate. Ask what options they have.
- Transportation. Some centers include rides and some charge for each trip.
- Who is paying. When Medicaid or the VA pays, the rate is set by the program and families usually pay little or nothing.
Does insurance pay for adult day care?
Sometimes. It depends on which kind of coverage your family member has. Here is how each one usually works in Pennsylvania.
For a deeper look at each option, read is adult day care covered?
How to check if long-term care insurance will pay
- Find the policy and call the insurer.
Ask whether it covers “adult day care” or “adult day services” and what the daily limit is. - Ask about the elimination period.
Many policies have a waiting period before benefits start. Days spent at adult day care may count toward it. - Ask what paperwork they need.
Most insurers want a care plan or a doctor’s statement showing your family member needs help with daily activities or supervision. - Ask us for an invoice in the format they need.
We can help you put together what the insurer asks for.
Not sure which coverage applies?
Read us what is on their insurance card. We will tell you whether Medicaid, the VA or another benefit is likely to cover adult day care, and what the next step is.
How do families pay for senior day care?
Medicaid through Community HealthChoices
For most Pennsylvania families who qualify, this is the biggest help. Adult day care is added to the person’s service plan, and the plan pays the center directly. People who have both Medicare and Medicaid are often already enrolled without realizing it. Our Medicaid page walks through the steps, and understanding the Community HealthChoices waiver explains how the program works.
VA benefits for veterans and surviving spouses
The VA can pay for adult day care in several ways. Start with does the VA pay for adult day care?, then see how to apply for VA Adult Day Health Care, Aid & Attendance for adult day care and Veteran-Directed Care. Surviving spouses may qualify too. Read Aid & Attendance for a surviving spouse.
Long-term care insurance
If your family member bought a long-term care policy, check it first. Many policies cover adult day services, and using that benefit can keep savings intact for longer.
Private pay
Families who pay privately usually choose the number of days that fits their budget and adjust later. Ask about the daily rate, what it includes, and how billing works.
Federal tax credit for working caregivers
If you pay for adult day care so you can work, and your parent or spouse lives with you and depends on you for support, you may be able to claim part of the cost through the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. A dependent care account through your employer may also apply. The rules and limits change, so check IRS Publication 503 or ask a tax preparer.
How much does senior day care cost per week or per month?
Because most centers charge by the day, the schedule you choose decides the monthly cost. Using the general $75 to $150 range:
| Days per week | Roughly per week | Roughly per month |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | $150 to $300 | $650 to $1,300 |
| 3 days | $225 to $450 | $975 to $1,950 |
| 5 days | $375 to $750 | $1,625 to $3,250 |
Monthly figures use 4.33 weeks per month. These are general estimates, not Penn Village’s rates. Call to confirm current pricing.
Many families start with two or three days and add more as needs change. For help choosing, read how many days a week should someone attend adult day care?
Is senior day care worth the cost?
For many families, yes. Adult day care gives an older adult a full day of activity, company, meals and health oversight for a fraction of what in-home care or assisted living costs. They keep living at home and sleeping in their own bed.
- They spend the day with other people. Regular social time helps with mood and memory. See the benefits of social interaction for older adults.
- Health changes get noticed early. Nursing staff see them regularly and can flag changes to the family and doctor.
- They can stay at home longer. Read how adult day care can extend independent living.
- Families get time back during the week. Caregivers can work, rest and take care of themselves too. See respite care at Penn Village.
What cost questions should you ask on a tour?
Bring these questions with you
- What is the daily rate, and is there a different rate for shorter days?
- Are meals and transportation included in that rate?
- Do you accept Medicaid through Community HealthChoices? Which plans?
- Do you work with VA benefits?
- Can you provide invoices for long-term care insurance?
- Is there an enrollment fee or any other charge?
- How much notice do you need to change the number of days?
For a fuller list, read what to ask when touring an adult day care center. If your family member is living with dementia, our Alzheimer’s and dementia day program explains what is different about memory care.
See the center and get a straight answer on cost.
Call us to talk through what your family member needs and what coverage they have, then come see the center in person.
Common questions about senior day care cost
How much does senior day care cost per day?
As a general estimate, senior day care in the Philadelphia area commonly costs around $75 to $150 per day. Pennsylvania’s 2025 median for adult day health care works out to roughly $117 a day. Call Penn Village at 267-437-2898 to confirm current pricing.
Does Medicaid pay for adult day care in Pennsylvania?
Yes, for people who qualify. Pennsylvania Medicaid covers adult day care through Community HealthChoices, and the plan pays the center directly. Penn Village accepts all three Community HealthChoices plans in Philadelphia.
Does Medicare pay for adult day care?
Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans include adult day services as an extra benefit, so it is worth calling the plan to ask.
Does long-term care insurance cover adult day care?
Many long-term care policies do. Check the policy for an adult day care or adult day services benefit, the daily limit and any elimination period before benefits start.
Is adult day care cheaper than in-home care?
Usually, yes. In Pennsylvania, the 2025 median for adult day health care was about $30,420 a year, compared with about $77,792 a year for a non-medical in-home aide at 44 hours a week.
Can I get a tax break for paying for my parent’s adult day care?
Possibly. If you pay for adult day care so you can work and your parent lives with you and depends on you, you may qualify for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. Check IRS Publication 503 or ask a tax preparer.
Are meals and transportation included at Penn Village?
Yes. Nutritious meals are served every day members attend at no extra charge, and our vans provide door-to-door transportation.
More guides on paying for adult day care
Cost figures in this guide are general estimates and published survey medians, not Penn Village’s rates. Coverage rules change, so confirm details with the program or plan. This article is general information, not financial or tax advice.
