Adult Day Health Care is a program Veterans can go to during the day for social activities, peer support, companionship, and recreation.
Adult Day Health Care is for Veterans who need skilled services, case management, and assistance with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed) or instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., fixing meals and taking medicines); are isolated or their caregiver is experiencing burden. Adult Day Health Care can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services.
Health services such as care from nurses, therapists, social workers, and others may also be available.
Adult Day Health Care can provide respite care for a family caregiver and can also help Veterans and their caregiver gain skills to manage the Veteran's care at home.
Adult Day Health Care may be provided at VA medical centers, State Veterans Homes, or community organizations.
For a list of State Veterans Homes locations, visit the National Association of State Veterans Homes. You can also use the Helpful Websites listed in the Guide to Long Term Care to locate Adult Day Health Care programs.
Since Adult Day Health Care is part of the VHA Medical Benefits Package, all enrolled Veterans are eligible IF they meet the clinical need for the service and it is available.
A co-payment for Adult Day Health Care may be charged based on your eligibility status and means test criteria. Contact your VA social worker/case manager to complete the Application for Extended Care Benefits (VA Form 10-10EC).
Adult Day Health Care can be a half-day or full-day program. Usually, you would go to an Adult Day Health Care center 2 to 3 times per week, but you may be able to go up to 5 times a week.
Based on availability and need, you can create a regular schedule that works for you and your family caregiver. You may be able to get assistance with transportation to and from an Adult Day Health Care center.
You can use a Shared Decision Making Worksheet to help you figure out what long term care services or settings may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach good long term care decisions.
Your physician or other primary care provider can answer questions about your medical needs. Some important questions to talk about with your social worker and family include:
- How much assistance do I need for my activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed)?
- What are my caregiver's needs?
- How much independence and privacy do I want?
- What sort of social interactions are important to me?
- How much can I afford to pay for care each month?
If Adult Day Health Care seems right for you, your VA social worker may be able to help you find an Adult Day Health Care center near your home and assist with making arrangements.
You can also use the Helpful Websites listed in the Guide to Long Term Care to help you locate services in your community.
I enjoy all the activities and other people at the Adult Day Health Care center. Going there makes me more active and healthy.
Frank, Veteran
My partner receives extra care at the Adult Day Health Care center and I get a break to run errands without worrying about leaving him alone. We are grateful that this care option exists.
Jeff, Veteran's partner and caregiver
