Types of adult care
"Adult care" covers a wide range of services, from a few hours a day of supervised activities to round-the-clock medical care. Here's how the main categories differ.
Adult day care
A non-residential program providing supervision, meals, activities, and limited health services during daytime hours. Designed for adults who can't be left alone safely but don't need round-the-clock care. Often used to give family caregivers a break ("respite") and to keep older adults socially engaged.
Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
A licensed residential facility providing 24/7 medical care. Used for short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay (typically 20–100 days covered by Medicare) or for long-term residents with complex medical needs. Staffed by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, and access to physicians and therapists.
Memory care
A specialized residential program for adults with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Memory care units have additional security, dementia-trained staff, and activity programming designed for cognitive decline. Often a wing within a larger assisted living or skilled nursing facility.
Assisted living
Residential housing for older adults who need help with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, medications) but don't need 24/7 medical care. Usually private apartments with shared dining and activity spaces. Not covered by Medicare; costs are paid privately or through long-term care insurance.
Home health care
Skilled medical services delivered in a person's home — nurse visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides. Typically ordered by a physician after a hospital discharge. Covered by Medicare when medically necessary.
Choosing the right level
Talk to your loved one's doctor and an elder-care advisor before choosing. The right answer often changes over time as medical needs evolve. ACD-HUB indexes adult day care centers and skilled nursing facilities; for other categories, the CMS site and your state's department of aging are good starting points.