Adult day care, adult day services, adult day health care, social day care… Here is what each name means, which ones mean the same thing, and how to find the right program near you 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 find us by searching for “senior day care,” “adult day care,” “adult day center” and a dozen other names, so this guide explains what they all mean.
Another name for senior day care is adult day care. You will also see it called adult day services, an adult day center, an adult day program or senior day services. All of these describe a daytime program where older adults spend the day in a safe, social setting with meals and supervision, then go home in the afternoon. Some names point to a type of program, like social day care or adult day health care.
What is another name for senior day care?
These are the names families run into most often. Most of them describe the same kind of program.
| Name you may hear | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Adult day care | The most common name. A daytime program for older adults with activities, meals and supervision. |
| Senior day care | Same as adult day care. Used by families more than by providers. |
| Adult day services | The formal industry term for the same thing. |
| Adult day center | The building where adult day care happens. |
| Adult day program | Another way of saying adult day care. |
| Senior citizen day care | Same as senior day care. |
| Elderly day care or day care for the elderly | Same as senior day care. |
| Older adult daily living center | The official Pennsylvania license name for an adult day center. |
| Social day care | A program focused on company, activities and meals, with lighter health support. |
| Adult day health care (ADHC) | A program with more nursing and health services built in. The VA uses this name. |
| Memory care day program | Adult day care set up for people with dementia or memory loss. |
| Daytime respite care | Describes the break adult day care gives family caregivers. |
Pennsylvania licenses adult day centers through the Department of Aging. Whatever name a center uses on its sign, ask to see that license.
Which names mean the same thing?
Senior day care, adult day care, adult day services, adult day center, adult day program and elderly day care all describe the same service. The person attends during the day, takes part in activities, eats a meal, and goes home in the afternoon. Families use whichever name they heard first.
If you want the full picture of how adult day care works, read what is adult day care?
Which names point to a type of program?
A few names tell you something about the level of care.
In practice, many centers blend these. At Penn Village, members get a full social day with activities and meals, and a nurse is on staff who checks vitals monthly and shares concerns with their doctor.
What senior day care is not
- It is not a nursing home. Members go home every afternoon and sleep in their own bed.
- It is not assisted living. Nobody moves in. See adult day care vs. assisted living vs. nursing home.
- It is not in-home care. The person comes to the center instead of an aide coming to the house. See adult day care vs. home health care.
- It is not a senior center. Senior centers offer drop-in activities without supervision or personal care. Read senior center support: more than a place to gather.
What happens during a day of senior day care?
Whatever it is called, a good program runs on a steady routine. At Penn Village, a day looks like this:
- Pickup from home.
Our wheelchair-accessible vans bring members from their front door. See how transportation works. - Morning activities.
Music, games, crafts, trivia and gentle exercise, adapted to each member’s abilities. - A meal together.
Nutritious meals are served every day members attend, at no extra charge. See our meal program. - Afternoon activities and quiet time.
Cards, puzzles, conversation, karaoke or rest in the lounge. - The ride home.
Members head home in the afternoon.
See more in our senior activities program.
How do you find senior day care near you in Philadelphia?
Start with programs that can get your family member there and back. Penn Village is in Germantown, and our vans bring members from neighborhoods across the city.
See every area on our locations page, including Roxborough, Cheltenham and Darby.
Come see a senior day care center in person.
Tour Penn Village in Germantown, meet our staff, and see what a day looks like.
How do you compare senior day care programs?
Questions to ask any center, whatever it is called
- Are you licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging?
- Is there a nurse on staff?
- What does a normal day look like?
- Are meals and transportation included?
- Do you accept Medicaid through Community HealthChoices, and VA benefits?
- What is the daily rate, and what does it include?
For more, read what to ask when touring an adult day care center and how much senior day care costs. Families of someone with dementia can also read how to choose an Alzheimer’s day care.
Common questions about senior day care names
What is another name for senior day care?
The most common other name is adult day care. Senior day care is also called adult day services, an adult day center, an adult day program, elderly day care or senior citizen day care.
Is adult day care the same as senior day care?
Yes. Adult day care and senior day care describe the same service: a daytime program with activities, meals and supervision for older adults, who go home in the afternoon.
What is the difference between social day care and adult day health care?
Social day care focuses on company, activities and meals. Adult day health care adds more nursing and health services. Many centers, including Penn Village, offer a full social day with a nurse on staff.
What is an adult day center called in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania licenses adult day centers as older adult daily living centers through the Department of Aging.
Is there senior day care near me in Philadelphia?
Penn Village is a licensed adult day center in Germantown, with door-to-door transportation from neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Call 267-437-2898 to ask about pickup near you.
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