Adult day services act as an alternative or supplement to home care and an alternative to moving to assisted living or a nursing home to receive care. The centers enable continued community-based living for individuals with physical and cognitive limitations and provide respite for their caregivers.

In recent years, adult day services centers have played and increasing role in providing long-term care services, as evidenced by the rapid growth in programs from 2,000 in 1989 to over 4,600 in 2009.

While this increase is partially due to the aging of our society, much of this growth can beattributed to the benefits offered through adult day services. First, adult day services centers allow individuals to remain in their home settings rather than an institutional setting, which is what the majority of caregivers and care recipients desire.