Adult Day Care

Adult day care provides an organized program of services during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting the personal independence of older adults and promoting their social, physical, and emotional well-being. Programs must offer a variety of activities designed to meet the individual needs and interests of the participants, including referral to and assistance in using other community resources. Also included in the service, when supported by funding from the Division of Aging and Adult Services, are medical examinations required for individual participants for admission to day care services and thereafter when not otherwise available without cost. Food and services to provide a nutritional meal and snacks, as appropriate are also expected.

Providers of adult day care must meet North Carolina State Standards for Certification, which are administrative rules (10A NCAC 06R) set by the Social Services Commission. These standards are enforced by the State Division of Aging and Adult Services. The Standards for Certification have been updated and the new Standards are effective July 1, 2007. Routine monitoring of compliance is performed by Adult Day Care Coordinators located at county departments of social services. Costs to consumers vary, and there is limited funding for adult day care from state and federal sources.

If you have questions about adult day care in a given county, contact the County Department of Social Services, your Area Agency on Aging, Heather Carter or Glenda Artis at the Division of Aging and Adult Services. You may also want to search the Division's Aging Services Directory for providers of adult day care and other home and community services.

North Carolina also has adult day health services. Programs may be certified to provide both adult day care and adult day health services. Many centers are members of the North Carolina Adult Day Services Association.