Day Care Programs provide the person with Alzheimer's opportunities to interact with others, usually in a community center or facility. Staff leads various activities such as music programs and support groups. Day care programs are structured on two types of models: the medical model and the social model.

Social model day programs offer recreational and socialization opportunities for people with dementia, in a secure environment with trained, and dependable staff.Each program is slightly different and has different requirements. Almost all offer lunch. Many offer transportation costs vary a great deal. The best way to be sure that a program is a good fit for a particular person's functional ability, their need for service and financial resources is to visit, watch what goes on and ask a lot of questions.

Medical model day programs are designed for persons with medical problems, (including dementia) who may require one or more of the following services:monitoring, nursing care, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutritional counseling or recreational therapy as well as socialization.As a result, they are significantly more expensive than Social Model Adult Day Care.If the patient appears to need Medical Model care, but does not have the income or assets to pay for it, talk to the Social Worker at the center about the eligibility requirements for Medicaid.

Click here to find a day care program in your area.