These days, when I meet with friends, the topic of caring for parents comes up frequently. Everyone is worried about their mothers being alone at home while they have to go to work during the day.

However, the thought of immediately looking into nursing homes feels heavy and the costs are daunting. So, I decided to dive into senior daycare, known in English as adult day care.

The concept is simple. You drop off your parents at the center in the morning and pick them up again in the evening. You can think of it as the senior version of child daycare.

At the center, they engage in activities like meals, exercise, recreation, and making friends. Facilities with nursing staff can even manage medication and check blood pressure.

The most pressing question is, of course, the cost. I looked up the 2025 survey results from CareScout, which is known for researching long-term care costs.

According to the national median, adult day health care costs $95 per day. If used five days a week, that totals $24,700 a year.

In contrast, the national median for a private room in a nursing home is $129,575 per year. A semi-private room costs $114,975 per year, so the difference is quite noticeable when you look at the numbers.

Of course, you need to be cautious about simple comparisons. Daycare assumes that family members take care of them at night and on weekends.

Also, this is the national median, so prices can vary depending on the region or type of center. Some places may have separate transportation or meal services, so be sure to ask for estimates.

The next question is whether Medicare covers it. Original Medicare generally does not cover daycare costs.

However, some Medicare Advantage plans may include it as an additional benefit. Since it varies by plan, it's best to call your insurance company directly to confirm.

In Texas, it's important to pay attention to Medicaid. The state government has a program called DAHS, or Day Activity and Health Services.

DAHS provides nursing, rehabilitation, meals, and social activities during the day at licensed facilities. If there are no other transportation options, round-trip transportation to the center is also included.

The target audience is Medicaid enrollees, like those in STAR+PLUS, who need these services due to chronic illnesses. A doctor's recommendation is required, and according to the state handbook, you can use it for up to 10 hours a day.

You can apply at yourtexasbenefits.com or call 2-1-1 for guidance. I just learned that 2-1-1 is such a useful number.

There is also a program called PACE. It is for individuals aged 55 and older who are recognized as needing nursing home-level care and provides comprehensive care, including daycare.

The downside is that PACE is only available in certain areas of Texas. According to the state handbook, the locations mentioned are El Paso, Amarillo, and Lubbock, so it may not be available in the DFW area.

If your parents are veterans, be sure to check with the VA. Registered veterans may be able to use Adult Day Health Care if deemed clinically necessary.

There may be out-of-pocket costs depending on disability ratings or income. The VA social worker can help connect you to nearby centers.

If Medicaid is not an option and the VA does not apply, look for the Area Agency on Aging in your county. In our area, it is operated by United Way.

They connect family caregivers with respite services and meal delivery. The services themselves are reportedly provided free of charge to those in need.

When choosing a center, the first step is to check the licensing status on the Texas Department of Health and Human Services long-term care facility search site. After that, visiting in person is the best approach.

If it were me, I would stop by during lunchtime. You can see if the food suits the seniors' tastes and how the staff interacts with them at that time.

If you have Korean seniors, language issues cannot be overlooked. Asking if there are Korean-speaking staff or if similar-aged Korean individuals attend can significantly affect their adjustment.

Just like cowboy boots may hurt at first but become comfortable once broken in, seniors might initially resist daycare, so start slowly with half days.

Eligibility criteria and out-of-pocket costs vary based on individual circumstances, so be sure to confirm with a social worker or expert before making decisions. Sometimes, a few documents can make a difference in benefits.

My conclusion is that before considering nursing homes, we should explore daycare options first. This way, parents can sleep at home, and families can have some breathing room during the day.

If anyone is already sending their parents to daycare, please share your experiences. This kind of information is often most accurate when shared among neighbors.