Adult day care

What is adult day care?

An adult day care center provides supervised activities, meals, personal care and social contact for adults during the day, licensed by AHCA under Part III of Chapter 429, Florida Statutes.

AHCA licenses 8 adult day care centers in the two counties: Empath Life in Bradenton, Meals on Wheels Plus Adult Day Center in Lakewood Ranch, Town Square Bradenton at University Parkway in Sarasota, Activage Sarasota in Sarasota, Senior Friendship Centers, Inc in Venice, Senior Friendship Centers, Inc in Sarasota, Tina's Adult Day Care in Sarasota, Town Square Sarasota in Sarasota. Several assisted living facilities also run day programs.

What does adult day care cost in Florida?

CareScout's 2025 Florida median is $19,500 a year for five days a week, about $75 a day; Medicaid long-term care plans and PACE can cover it for eligible participants.

Some ALFs also run day programs; participants count toward the ALF's staffing minimums.

Who benefits most from adult day care?

People who should not be alone during the day but still live with family, including many with early to moderate dementia, and the caregivers who need those hours to work or rest.

Ask about transportation, which is often the deciding factor.

What should I ask an adult day care center?

Ask about hours, transportation, staff training in dementia care, how medications are handled, what happens if your parent becomes ill during the day, and the daily rate.

A trial day is the best test.

Can adult day care help someone with dementia?

Yes; many adult day care centers serve participants with dementia, and Florida's Alzheimer's Disease Initiative funds adult day and respite services for eligible families through the Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

Ask about staff dementia training and how the center handles wandering.

How many adult day care centers serve Sarasota and Manatee?

AHCA licenses 8 adult day care centers in the two counties: Empath Life in Bradenton, Meals on Wheels Plus Adult Day Center in Lakewood Ranch, Town Square Bradenton at University Parkway in Sarasota, Activage Sarasota in Sarasota, Senior Friendship Centers, Inc in Venice, Senior Friendship Centers, Inc in Sarasota, Tina's Adult Day Care in Sarasota, Town Square Sarasota in Sarasota. Several assisted living facilities also run day programs.

Centers differ in hours, transportation, nursing on site and dementia programming, so visit at least two. Some take Medicaid long-term care plan members and PACE participants; ask before enrolling.

Where is adult day care licensed in Sarasota and Manatee?

Here is how AHCA's records distribute adult day care licenses between the two counties; agencies have no bed count.