New York State defines Social adult day care programs as those offering “a structured, comprehensive program which provides functionally impaired individuals with socialization; supervision and monitoring; personal care; and nutrition in a protective setting during any part of the day, but for less than 24 hours”.
Social adult day services (SADS) are an important component of the community-based service-delivery system that helps to delay or prevent nursing home placement and the need for other very costly services, while providing vital assistance to the older person with cognitive and/or physical impairments and supporting their informal caregivers. Research demonstrates that caregivers who experience stress and burden are more likely to “burn out” and, thus, place their loved ones in an institution, directly impacting Medicaid spending for skilled nursing home care. SADS can help to ease the burden of caregivers by providing them with time to take care of other needs and address other priorities; the service also allows many caregivers to continue to work. At the same time, it addresses the basic needs of the individual needing care in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. (Source New York State Office for the Aging.)