A Day Away

How adult day programs support seniors and their caregivers

Fact checked by Shannon Sparks

When Jack Sullivan, an 80-year-old Andersonville resident and father of 12, first visited CJE SeniorLife’s Adult Day Services program, he wasn’t sure what to expect. “I was wary at first,” he says. “But before I knew it, I was here five days a week. You sit at a table, five or six people, and maybe you don’t even know their names — but you just say hello, and it goes from there.”

Today, Sullivan considers the program a joyful part of his routine. “I could be very lonely,” he says. “It’s really nice to come to a place like this, where there’s all kinds of things going on, where there’s friendship. People just come up and talk to you. And the next thing you know, there’s eight or nine different things happening at once: music, games, people laughing. There’s just energy.”

His daughter, Sarah Sullivan, says the program makes having him live with her possible. “CJE [formerly known as the Council for Jewish Elderly] is a godsend,” adds the full-time working mom of two. “I’d have to put him in a nursing facility — not because he can’t be alone, but because I’d have to stay home with him, and hiring a caregiver is just not financially possible. Besides, he loves it there.”

Adult day services do more than give caregivers a break. They enrich older people’s lives through social connection, cognitive support, and cultural engagement. Programs like those at CJE SeniorLife and the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC), honor cultural heritage while serving diverse communities.

“Our strongest goal is socialization.”

As the Baby Boomer generation — now approximately 20% of the U.S. population — ages, the need for affordable, community-based care is growing. A recent report projects that the U.S. adult daycare market will increase from $17 billion in 2024 to nearly $24 billion by 2029.

Whether honoring cultural roots, providing caregiver respite, or giving older adults a reason to get up in the morning, adult day programs are becoming essential in the aging landscape.

A legacy of care

For nearly 80 years, the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) in Chicago has evolved to meet community needs — from a post-WWII resettlement agency to a vital hub for senior care and cultural connection.

One cornerstone is JASC’s Adult Day Services program, which provides daytime care, medical oversight, and meaningful engagement.

“We’re unique from other adult day services,” says Tricia Soo, director of operations. “Our organization began helping Japanese Americans resettle in Chicago after the incarceration camps. As people aged, needs shifted. And we responded.”

Located in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, JASC’s program now serves about 30 clients daily, offering flexible attendance. Participants receive meals reviewed by a registered dietitian, assistance from nurses, and hands-on care from dementia-trained staff.

“We serve all stages of memory care,” Soo says. “And we incorporate a lot of activity — art, dance, music, games. It’s a very vibrant, active program.”

JASC integrates cultural enrichment whenever possible — from Japanese cooking demos to building-wide community events.

The program accepts private pay and Medicaid-eligible clients, with referrals from the Illinois Department on Aging, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Rehabilitation Services. They also offer transportation.

Beyond adult daycare, JASC has homemaker services for older adults, as well as language classes, cooking classes, and cultural events for the broader community. “Our mission is grounded in honoring elders and supporting community. This program is just one way we continue that legacy,” Soo says.

Colorful care model

CJE SeniorLife’s Adult Day Services program, located in Evanston and Deerfield, also supports older adults’ socialization and care and offers critical respite to caregivers.

“Our strongest goal is socialization,” says Tori Gruber, senior manager of cognitive services. “We also specialize in dementia care. About 80% of our members have some form of cognitive change.”

Whether participants are coping with memory issues, physical limitations, or loneliness, the program emphasizes inclusivity and dignity. “We believe everyone can benefit from socialization,” Gruber says. “And we really prioritize choice with our members.”

CJE’s programming blends art, music, movement, and cognitive stimulation tailored to individual abilities. “We have part-time art and music therapists, a drama therapist, a dance therapist, a dementia-friendly book club, brain games, karaoke. We really try to make sure everyone can find joy and success here,” Gruber says.

Jack Sullivan regularly brings home the jewelry and artwork he has made to show his family. “He even gave Christmas gifts to all his grandkids from what he made there. It gives him something to add to the conversation around our dinner table at the end of the day, and that’s huge,” his daughter says.

Cultural enrichment is central to CJE’s programs. “All our programs are open to everyone,” Gruber says.

Sarah Sullivan agrees. “My father is Irish-Catholic, but he loves all of it,” she says. “They have a foundation in faith and human values that touches everyone. It’s not about religion; it’s about dignity and care.”

While many clients pay out of pocket or with long-term care plans, CJE connects families to funding through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program, which provides adult day services free of charge to qualified individuals. “We’re happy to coordinate care and walk families through the process,” Gruber says.

CJE also reaches out to caregivers with monthly support groups, free educational workshops, and social gatherings — with respite care available during the programs.

“Caregiving is hard,” Gruber says. “But with the right tools and support, people feel more confident — and more connected.”

Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2025 print issue.