About BrightenDay

Our mission

Finding daytime care for a parent, spouse, or other loved one can feel heavy. It can be even harder if English is not your first language, you are new to the US, or you are trying to make calls while working, parenting, and caregiving.

BrightenDay exists to make that search simpler.

We help families learn about adult day care and find programs that may fit their needs. Adult day care means daytime programs for older or disabled adults who live at home. These programs can offer meals, activities, supervision, health support, and transportation, depending on the center.

There are three main types:

• Social adult day programs for activities, meals, company, and supervision
• Adult day health programs for nursing, therapy, health monitoring, and personal care
• Dementia or memory day care for people who need a more secure setting and staff trained in memory-related support

A big benefit for many families is respite. A daytime break can help a caregiver rest, work, keep appointments, or simply breathe. Needing help during the day does not mean you are failing your loved one. It means you are trying to build support that can last.

If you want to explore options, you can get matched for free.

How we help families

BrightenDay does not make you commit to anything. We give information, help you understand the kinds of programs available, and connect you with centers you can contact and compare.

Here is what that usually looks like:

1. You share basic contact details and general care needs.
2. We help narrow the search to adult day centers that may be a fit.
3. You speak with programs directly, ask questions, and schedule visits.
4. You choose whether any center is right for your family.

We focus on clear, practical help. For example, we can help you understand the difference between social day programs and adult day health, or explain what families often ask about transportation, meals, language support, and hours.

Many centers run roughly 7am to 6pm, but schedules vary. Typical daily costs also vary by program type, level of care, state, and benefits:

• Social adult day programs: about $60-$100/day
• Adult day health: about $90-$160/day
• Dementia day care: about $80-$150/day

These are typical ranges, not quotes or guarantees. Always confirm the current schedule, services, and total cost with the center in writing before enrolling.

If you want a fuller overview of program types, visit our adult day care programs guide.

What BrightenDay is not

It is important to be clear about our role.

BrightenDay is not an adult day center. We do not run a facility. We do not provide hands-on care, supervision, transportation, nursing, therapy, legal advice, financial advice, or medical advice.

We are also not a licensed or certified care provider. We are a matching and information service.

That means:

• We can help you understand options
• We can help you connect with adult day centers
• We cannot diagnose, treat, or recommend medical treatment
• We cannot tell you whether a program is clinically right for a person
• We do not complete a medical intake or collect sensitive records

Please do not send medical history, diagnosis details, medication lists, Social Security numbers, bank or account numbers, or other sensitive records through this site.

If you think there is a medical emergency, call your local emergency number right away.

When you are comparing programs, protect your family by taking these steps:

• Choose a licensed or certified adult day center
• Verify the license or certification yourself
• Visit in person before enrolling
• Confirm services, staffing, transportation, safety practices, and costs in writing

We strongly encourage every family to review centers carefully. You visit. You compare. You choose.

How BrightenDay is paid

Our matching service is free to families.

Participating centers pay BrightenDay a flat fee to be part of our network. That is how we keep the service free for families using the site.

We do not charge you to ask questions, learn about adult day care, or get matched with programs.

Some families also ask how adult day care may be paid for. In many states, payment may come from private pay, Medicaid home- and community-based waiver programs, the VA, or long-term-care insurance. Coverage, eligibility, and paperwork depend on the program, the state, and the person's benefits. We cannot promise coverage or tell you that a specific program will be paid for.

For general information, see does Medicaid pay for adult day care?.

How to use BrightenDay well

A simple search process can save time and lower stress.

• Start with the kind of help your family needs during the day: social time, health support, memory support, or a mix
• Ask about hours, transportation, meals, language support, and trial visits
• Compare more than one center if possible
• Read the paperwork carefully before signing

If respite is part of what you need, that is okay. Caregiving is real work. A few hours of help can protect your job, your sleep, and your own health. You can read more in caregiver respite explained.

When you are ready, BrightenDay can help you take the next step.