Senior Center vs. Adult Day Care in Tamarac: Which One Does Your Parent Need?

When families search for senior center vs adult day care in Tamarac, they are usually trying to answer one question: is Mom fine on her own with a place to go, or does she need someone watching over her during the day? The two options sound alike, and the names do not help, but they are built for different people.

This guide explains what a senior center is, what an adult day care center is, who each one fits, and the questions that decide it for your parent. It also clears up a common confusion about our own name: Tamarac Senior Center is a licensed adult day center for adults 60 and older.

What is a senior center?

A senior center is a community gathering place where older adults drop in for a class, a meal or a game of dominoes with friends. People come and go on their own schedule. Senior centers are built for adults who are independent: they can get there, manage their own needs and leave when they choose.

• Drop-in schedule, often with classes on set days.
• Social events, exercise classes, crafts and outings.
• Many are run by cities, counties or nonprofits.
• Usually no one is assigned to watch over each person during the day.
• Little or no help with personal care, medications or mobility.

For an active parent who wants company and something to do, a senior center can be a good fit.

What is an adult day care center?

An adult day care center is a supervised daytime program for adults who should not spend the day alone. Staff are present the whole time, meals are served, and members get help with daily needs while taking part in activities. Members go home in the evening. In Florida, these centers are licensed by the state.

• Staff present throughout the day.
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks as part of the program.
• Help with daily needs such as walking or personal care.
• A daily schedule of activities, from gentle exercise to music.
• Often includes transportation to and from home.

The National Adult Day Services Association describes the model on its about adult day services page, and Florida’s licensing rules are in Chapter 429, Part III of the Florida Statutes. For a longer introduction, read our guide to what adult day care is.

The main differences, side by side

The core difference is supervision. A senior center offers activities to people who can manage on their own. An adult day center takes responsibility for the person during the hours they are there, with staff, meals and help built into the day.

Who it is for

• Senior center: independent older adults looking for activities and company.
• Adult day care: adults who need supervision or some help during the day, including many whose families work.

Supervision and help

• Senior center: staff run activities, but members look after themselves.
• Adult day care: staff are responsible for members all day and help with daily needs.

Schedule

• Senior center: drop in for a class or an event.
• Adult day care: a full day on a regular schedule, often several days a week.

Meals and rides

• Senior center: sometimes a lunch program, usually no rides from home.
• Adult day care: meals are part of the day, and many centers include transportation.

Coverage

Coverage works differently for each. For adult day care, some plans cover the program depending on the person’s eligibility. We do not quote prices here: call us at (954) 694-1100 and we will walk you through how to check coverage. Our guide on how families pay for adult day care in Florida explains the questions to ask.

Why is Tamarac Senior Center an adult day center?

The name says who the center serves, older adults in Tamarac, but the program it runs is adult day care. Tamarac Senior Center is a licensed adult day center at 6570 N University Dr in Tamarac, serving adults 60 and older across Broward County. It runs a full supervised day, with meals, activities, help from staff and door to door transportation.

• Open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
• Door to door transportation in the morning and afternoon.
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks served on site.
• Gentle group exercise with seated and standing options.
• Assistance and support from staff throughout the day.
• Bilingual program. About 70 percent of members speak Spanish.

You can see the full list on our services page and the month’s activities on the calendar.

Which one fits your parent?

Ask one question first: can your parent safely spend six or eight hours alone? If the answer is yes, a senior center may be enough. If the answer is no, or you are not sure, adult day care is usually the better fit. The questions below help you decide.

• Does your parent still drive or get around safely alone?
• Do they forget meals, medications or the stove?
• Have they fallen, or do they need help walking or in the bathroom?
• Do they get confused or anxious when they are alone?
• Are you missing work to stay with them?
• Do they spend most of the day alone in front of the TV?

If several of these sound familiar, talk with your parent, their doctor and the center about whether adult day care fits. Our guide to choosing the right senior center in Tamarac covers what to look for once you know which kind you need.

How to visit before you decide

Visit at least one place of each kind if you are unsure, and go during the late morning, when activities are running. Watch how staff talk to members, how many staff are on the floor, and whether your parent would feel at home in the language spoken around them.

• Ask how many staff are present per member.
• Ask what happens if a member feels sick or falls.
• Ask how medications are handled during the day.
• Look at the meals and ask about special diets.
• Ask about transportation times and the pickup area.
• Ask your parent what they thought, not only what you thought.

Frequently Asked Questions